The temptation facing modern artists today is to record, release and
inundate fans with every gush of spontaneous creativity. This has left
little breathing room for those who possess the necessary patience
to analyze an honest piece of work from every angle and craft a
complete work of art. The members of Champaign, IL quintet,
Elsinore, have focused this concept of patience into a glowing
sophomore full length, entitled Yes Yes Yes, that joyfully soundtracks
the bliss of life in the Midwest.
After a post-college relocation from rural Illinois to the Athens-of-
the-Midwest, the four core members of the band, Ryan Groff, Mark
Woolwine, Chris Eitel and Dave Pride decided to restructure their
character. It started with the development of their collective and
singular voices. Songwriter, Ryan Groff began recognizing exactly
what was so "special" about records by The Beatles and Radiohead:
the songs were nurtured, well-arranged, and impossible to get out
of your head. Elsinore's collective songwriting process became one
of focused and organic orchestration. Rehearsals became a creative
space devoted to reinvention. With their sound established, the
band began carving out tour dates, and strengthened the texture
and energy of their live show by adding a fifth member, guitarist and
songwriter Cole Rabenort.
The Chemicals EP is a collection of songs that brings the Champaign-
Urbana, IL wonder-pop quintet one step closer to their potential. The
EP features a preview of two tracks from their upcoming full-length,
an alternate and string-heavy version of another, a brand new, road-
tested home recording, as well as an invincibly addictive remix by
Gentleman Auction House frontman Eric Enger.
The songwriting here has evolved multi-fold over the past few years.
Playful yet poetic lyricism compliments magnetic and intelligent
arrangements (this being the first Elsinore release to feature scores
of strings and horns). “Chemicals” itself is either a rock song disguised
as a love song, or vice versa. The song sparks with its own colorful
energy, featuring an irresistible, soaring hook. It is clean and catchy, but
hardly simple. “Body of Water” and "Breathing Light" showcase the
now fine-tuned lyricism present throughout the EP; images of blood,
water, language -- simple,unconscious elements that are easily over-
looked in the day-to-day. The Pet Sounds-esque "Evens" takes the
band in a new sonic direction and begs for repeat headphone listens.
The pace of this fiery Midwestern workhorse has led to an impressive
and incredibly consumable resume. This and The General EP (summer
2008) precede the Yes Yes Yes full-length, set to be released this
summer on Parasol Records.
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