Ben Elliot
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1/4/2008 6:06:12 PM
REMINDER #2 - Press (Courtesy of Dom Smith)
I'd like to draw everones attention to the works of Dom Smith. The last two EPs I have produced have kindly been reveiwed by Dom and I would to take this opportunity to suggest that everyone has a read and checks out his myspace profile.
It would also be useful for those of you have have never quite got round to listening to my music to have a read and find out what its all about.
Here goes........
FOREIGN BLUES
York’s own Ben Elliot is an intricate musician, pure and simple. Creative, driven and ambitious, there is a reflective and epic quality to the opener, “Old Tales For A Fresh Mind.” The artist has a real penchant for producing catchy songs to pull at your heart strings.
Immediately one sees the influence of Aussie rock band Silverchair on the music, and this does carry on throughout. Though the similarity is sometimes “scary” between Ben and Daniel John’s (the Silverchair vocalist,) in terms of the rough edged melodic “whine” they both share, Elliot has enough skill to use this to his advantage and create something original himself that will appeal to ‘Chair (and Dissacociative fans,) alike.
That being said, this is softer, and more “easy going” at all times on our ears, and this record is a real mood changer…I feel really up-beat in the wake of efforts like: “Between inside and out.” This is a really poppy, sensual effort that combines electro sensibilities and electric guitar with a huge commercial appeal and some nice piano work “to boot”. All in all, the track is a nice compliment to this collection of well “thought out, well produced and “emotive” songs.
It’s half midnight, I’ve had a bad day, and for me, this record allows for great self-reflection. Right now, I feel great because of inspiring lines like “What are we waiting for, what will be in store for us, in another life?” To be fair it is a good question, and I’ve only just started thinking about it…but with the up-beat tempo of the last track, I feel strangely confident.
To those who do listen to Mr Elliot and may contend that the tunes on offer here are “samey,” at times I have to agree. For the majority though, and on stand alone efforts like “Dearly Beloved,” we see the tempo go from slow to fast. The mood swings from light to dark, and in the final track “Two Thousand Plus,” as aforementioned, the track has the potential to be a truly inspiring piece. I really am pleasantly surprised by the talent and imagination of this young man.
Whatever your into, check this guy out…I promise you will not be disappointed, each song (although there are trademarks of clever piano and well placed electro beats within,) carries a different melody and with it a different mood and emotion.
For Fans of: Silverchair, Martin Grech, Darren Hayes.
FAIRYTALES
“Give Yourself A Name” is the first offering here, and it screams sophistication and quality. This artist comes somewhere between the anthemic pop of Darren Hayes and the hard rock composition of Silverchair. What sets this apart from previous work however is that this is a far more introspective record in my book.
“Four Days To Save The World” is a mischievous and jazz infused effort, while “The Promise” is again a powerful and overly infectious tune, the standout of the disk. This one makes us question:…….
“What are we waiting for?” Elliot is trying to inspire us throughout this, to achieve our goals, and make a move. I guarantee you there is not another artist in Yorkshire, in recent memory at least, that can compose music that is as readily apparent and as diverse as Ben Elliot.
“And You Are?” sees Elliot pick up the pace, perhaps satirising a dark concept with supreme songsmanship, and some great piano work. Here,
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