The Elected- Sun, Sun, Sun

So Guitarist/ Vocalist Blake Sennett from Rilo Kiley has formed an indie darling of a band known as The Elected. And what better for an indie darling band to do than sign with the indie record label, Sub Pop. Bless their souls for sending us this compact disk. Releasing their first debut album back in 2004, called “Me First,” set the foundation for the sound of the band with its wifty, wavy, California country guitar pop sound. Being recorded with Mike Mogis and Jimmy Tamborello, who leave their notable musical marks, the album was and is really bloody amazing. Than came the new Rilo Kiley album which whisked Blake away.

Now back with the Elected’s sophomore album, “Sun Sun Sun,” Blake (vocal and guitar), Mike Bloom (guitar/steel guitar), Nate Greely (bass) and Sander Steen (drums) are back. And they did it again. Sun Sun Sun is for the most part a finer tuned version of Me First. But it’s a sound on its own, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Take a page from the Chili Peppers or Postal Service. Speaking of which as you can tell by some of the names we’re throwing at you there is a definite love triangle of sorts going on between not only Jimmy Tamborello and Blake Sennett, but throw in lil ol’ Jenny Lewis and your probably scratching your head. But don’t. Cause if you look carefully at those album credits you’re find that theses guys love each other and work so well together on each other’s bands.

While Blake was in the studio recording Me First with Jimmy and wrapping up with Rilo Kiley’s second album tour and all, Jenny was recording with Jimmy and the Postal Service. And don’t forget that Sander Steen is lil bro to Ryland Steen who plays in Reel Big Fish. Go figure their all one big happy family. This is truly a hog-podge of musicians from different groups.

But The Elected are truly indie darlings, capitalizing on the new indie-alt-country sound with the story telling lyrics. They really do tell a story though out the album. And naturally if you like Rilo Kiley or the Postal Service (and in that case Death Cab for Cutie) you’ll love the Elected. But don’t get the wrong impression. They stand on their own.

The 88- Over and Over

Here we go kids. The 88. L.A. based Pop-rock band comprised of 5 guys in very dapper suits, and one guy with incredibly large curly hair. Kinda reminded me of Claudio Sanchez from Coheed and Cambria. So. The 88. Some may be asking; Why Will, who are the 88? Well truth be told they’ve been around for a few years, their first CD, titled “Light”, first debuted back in 2003. They quickly rose up the L.A. music chart ranks and managed to con many of the Hollywood types to join their fan base. These guys are seriously hitting the break out point, straining to get that break from online music videos on MTV online and spots on Craig Ferguson and the O.C., to actually being a headlining national touring band, so that when we go back on the streets and ask people, do you know who the 88 are? They actually can say, “yeah I’ve heard of those cats.”

But honestly folks lets cut to the chase. Do they have what it takes? Well when we received their latest CD, Over and Over, we were…….well….we weren’t sure what we were at the time. Their music is pop in a serious way but it seems to be missing something. We’re not sure what it is. To be honest again, cause that’s what we are, it really sounded a lil cookie cutter. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a fun album, and the lyrics have some meaning if you listen. But it seems on some level they want to reach that Ben Folds Five status without a Ben Folds. Would it kill them to get out of the 4, 4 beat anyways and kick it up a notch and like rock out. Maybe that’s it. You listen to them and theirs no attitude, no raw energy, nothing really sticks with you.

At any rate, we’re rambling. So we’ll stop while were somewhere. We checked them out live, and had a “chat” with the boys, their good guys, and their live stuff is fun, but when you boil it down they turned the Casbah into cheers. Which would be a good cover for them. On a personal opinion I would have to say that their almost there, all of the T.V. spots and rubbing elbows with the stars have gotten them this far, but now it’s time to stop playing bit parts and mature as a band a little more and get some sole in their music. Maybe match they're look and they're sound a little better. They’re not bad, but they’re not quite great yet.

http://www.the88.net/

http://www.myspace.com/the88