The Great American Midrange

The Elms | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Trust Inc.
• ASIN: B002KWLS70
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,382 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Strut

2. Unless God Appears First

3. Country Fair

4. The Wildest Heart

5. Long Gone

6. The Shake

7. The Good Guys

8. The Little Ways

9. Back To Indiana

10. This Is How The World Will End

11. Thunderhead

12. A Place In The Sun

Editorial Reviews

2009 release, the fourth album from the Indiana-born quartet who have become torchbearers for modern American Rock 'n' Roll since their inception early in the new millennium. They build solidly upon a tradition that stretches from The Band to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, with deep roots in the muddy working soul of their home country. They've also always fortuitously engaged the musical sweet spot of honoring the past while living in and embracing the present.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A genuine 100% listenable album, September 16, 2009

By 

Eva Lyford "literate diva" (Midwestern USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great American Midrange (Audio CD)

I was delighted to listen to "The Great American Midrange" today and realize not once had I been compelled to skip a track or two - how long has it been since *you* had an album worth listening to straight through? The songs are each carefully constructed, passionate, and easy to get immersed into. There's a lot of variety from track to track and even within a song, while not sacrificing a coherent narrative. A Midwesterner like me hears the themes of local life as I know it and that authenticity is moving.

The lyrics are poetic and clever. The songs range from the powerful ("Thunderhead" and "Strut"), the race-worthy "Back to Indiana" and the soul baring "The Little Ways." The coming-of-age story behind "Unless God Appears First," addresses regret and repentance in the tradition of the blues but with a modern, neo-apathetic twist. An untitled bonus track is a sweet and savory ending to the album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, just brilliant!, September 15, 2009

By 

JKSobonya (East Norriton, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great American Midrange (Audio CD)

It is safe to say that The Elms is one of my favorite bands. I have enjoyed following their musical career from the "early days" in 2002 to today. The Elms continue to make honest, heartfelt, feel-good music on their fourth studio release, "The Great American Midrange." What an amazing record this is and a great follow-up to their last studio effort "The Chess Hotel"! Every song on this album is excellent; personal favorites include "Unless God Appears First," "Strut," and "The Good Guys." I highly recommend this CD. Pick it up!

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant return to form, August 16, 2010

By 

Doctor CD "Bill's Music Forum" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great American Midrange (Audio CD)

The Elms, one of Indiana's hottest melodic rock bands, are back with their fourth album, "The Great American Midrange". I have been a big fan of The Elms since I heard their debut EP in 2000, but they worried me a bit with the uneven "Chess Hotel" (their 2006 major label debut). I am happy and relieved to inform you that "The Great American Midrange" is a brilliant return to form.

I thought it would be appropriate to listen to the new record while driving through their hometown of Seymour, Indiana, while on my way to The Horseshoe Casino to play some poker. I don't think a better soundtrack for such a trip could have been crafted. With titles like "Country Fair" and "Back To Indiana", and a strong roots rock sound, the record just screams 'rock from the heartland'. The ballads can make you feel like you're on your back in a golden field, staring at that big open sky on a lazy afternoon...but without missing a beat they can rock it like a twister. The Elms have attracted some big names to perfect the sonic quality of "The Great American Midrange": the record was mixed by Adam Kasper (Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters) and mastered by Bob Ludwig (Rolling Stones, U2, R.E.M., many more).

Owen Thomas sounds as good as ever; his versatile voice gently sways to falsetto and back again on the tender ballads ("A Place in the Sun" and "The Little Ways"), but can rock out with the best of them amongst the crunchy guitars and thumping drums ("Strut" and "Thunderhead"). What I like best is that the boys have returned to the more classic Elms sound, with big hooks and sing-a-long choruses, and they kept their lyrics smart, positive, and inspiring. My favorite song is "Unless God Appears First", which encapsulates everything I like about this band. There isn't a dud in the bunch, but the other must hear tunes include "Back To Indiana", "This Is How The World Will End", and "The Wildest Heart".

"The Great American Midrange" is a terrific record - one of my favorite records by the band and one of my favorite records of 2009 so far. You'll like The Elms if you dig Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Scarecrow"-era John Cougar Mellencamp, or just about any other Midwestern rock outfit.

Key tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 (including "Lily" bonus track)
Bill's Music Forum review