MP3: Ellen Beach - Roaring fields
Ellen Beach is the kind of band that totally frustrates me. The band is capable of writing some brilliant songs, but they need more discipline and self-awareness. Their self-released album "Yaw / Yawn" (or double-EP, if you will) features quite a few inspired gems, but it also padded with enough filler to almost kill my enthusiasm. Thankfully for them, it's just "almost," not "completely." Take the song I've posted today for example: the lead melody has hooks for days and is absolutely dripping with the kind of heartfelt, yearning qualities I love to hear in my melancholic pop. The way the guitar takes over the lead vocal line on the final chorus is a perfect conclusion to the song, but then they add a few final measures of a coda afterwards. It doesn't ruin the song, but it does leave a bad taste in my mouth. If they culled a few of the weaker songs and tightened up the arrangements, "Yaw / Yawn" would be a winner f'sure. The band's potential is ridiculously high, so let's hope they can live up to it. One last additional note: Ellen Beach is especially recommended for anyone into The Fine Arts Showcase. The bands share a similar, complimentary sound.
Ellen Beach - Roaring fields