Electrelane
The Power Out
Too Pure Records.
142 CD
2003
Electrelane’s new album is confusing, beautiful, artful, and risks plunging
the group into even more obscurity than they were before. Sure, other bands
have experimented with their sound after the first album, but not so drastically
as the gals of Electrelane. After their debut smash hit Rock It To the Moon
it was obvious that band was something unique. Their Indie-cum-Sci-Fi-surferama
was mesmerizing. Those of us who heard their music wanted more.
And so we waited…
It’s 2004 and here they are. The Power Out has all of the tenacity of the first album; the wall of sound, the spiraling rhythms, the slick vocals- all of it bound up in a wrapper of flawless production. But wait. There is tension in this album, and a hell of a lot more vocals. Gone are the days when it was just you, the girls, and their instruments. Now there are more of the smart vocals, which on tracks like “On Parade” or “Only One Thing is Needed” have all the “Pop” of chewing gum.
But who cares! It’s Electrelane! The album has all of the intensity of their earlier work, but is less serious and therefore a risky step ahead for the band. It’s also nice to see them experimenting with new instruments, throwing into the usual mix of guitars, drums, and keyboard a bit more exotica, like the sax on “You Make Me Weak at the Knees”. All and all this album won’t disappoint, though it may take a bit of getting used to, but in the end after a couple of plays, you’ll find yourself wrapped up in the delicious, alt-rock blanket than Electrelane throws down on The Power Out.
-John Southern