Genre: Pop-rock Year: 2004 Country: USA Official Site: Earlimart Details: Tracks & Audio Label: Palm Picture
For its third release, California band Earlimart leaves the shadow of the Pixies to venture into a pop-rock rich in melodies and arrangements, in the tradition of the 60's California music scene. While you can hear the influence of emblematic bands such as The Beach Boys or the Beatles, the new Earlimart is closer to the late Elliot Smith as well as melody-crafters such as Starsailor and The Doves.
Trebel & Tremble, which was recorded and produced in collaboration with Jim Fairchild of Grandaddy, is filled with light guitars, sophisticated pianos, luxurious harmonies and grand keyboards à la Phil Spector. Singer Aaron Espinoza (a neighbor of Elliot Smith) murmurs his vocals, which adds to the vaporous atmosphere of the album; a vocal style reminiscent of Daniel Ash from Love & Rockets (and Bauhaus).
The songs flow well, without any rupture of style and quality, forming a cohesive and charming piece. It's hard not to resist ballads such as "First Instant Last Report" & "The Hidden Track", but the band also shows they can have an edgier sound, closer to Love & Rockets and The Jesus & Mary Chain, as "Unintentional Tape Manipulations" attests.
There is a sense of beauty in Treble & Tremble and this is the kind of album that you can either listen to religiously, digging in its evanescent atmosphere, or keep in the background for a peaceful moment. This is their more promising work and if they can find their own sound, distancing themselves from Elliot Smith, now that they got rid of their Pixies-antics, they might become a fascinating group.
Earlimart Treble & Tremble
