May & Marielle

El Toro | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 5, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Undecided Records
• ASIN: B0007LPMFK
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #594,681 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Papa Dolls

2. Georgia Peach

3. Bouncing Ball

4. The Sirens

5. You Will Write (For Sara)

6. My Sweet Love

7. Beauty and Romance

8. Far Away Carousels

9. Figure it Out

10. May Marielle

Editorial Reviews

With its combination of dynamic instrumentation, diverse and accomplished songwriting and lyrical catharsis, May and Marielle stands as EL TORO’s most commanding performance to date, and it is one of the most uncompromising and exciting pieces of music you’ll hear in 2005. May and Marielle is a singular work: an operetta of sexual and emotional confusion and conflict set to a musical backdrop that mirrors and expresses the entire range of emotions involved. By turns wildly and beautifully, thundering rhythms and disjointed guitars mesh in a symbiotic relationship with Ludwikowski’s narrative—replete with recurring themes and a resolution that ultimately leaves the players and listeners both sated and spent. May and Marielle achieves and exceeds the promise of EL TORO’s early demos that embellished the trademark EL TORO intensity. Metaphorical and rife with self-reference and examination, Ludwikowski’s confessional lyrical style weaves storybook sensibility around his inventive narrative. This could possibly be owed largely to the relative collaborative efforts of his band mates, but whatever the case May and Marielle finds EL TORO reaching yet another peak. In the last year EL TORO hit the road with a vengeance. They shared the stage with HEAD AUTOMATICA, CRU JONES, THE FAINT and PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS. The rest is more or less history. Having found a unique balance between beauty and chaos in the most dynamic instrumentation of EL TORO’s short history, May and Marielle stands as the most commanding performance of the year. Somewhere between a calmly calculated conceptual album and tongue in cheek satire, the band delivers a fearsome and lavish diatribe. Wild dissonant electronics, tearing and beautiful lyrics, thundering rhythms and disjointed guitar lines align together in a symbiotic relationship among the instruments. The result is some of the loudest but most melodic moments we have yet to hear from any band.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really good, February 4, 2006

By 

jaredgates "jared" (Ithaca, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: May & Marielle (Audio CD)

So, this band came to play at my highschool and they were amazing. There was a pretty small crowd so i got to meet them afterwards and buy a cd. The cd wasn't as great as the live performance, but it was still a lot better than half the "now" music out there. Definitely worth the $10

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars must express love, August 17, 2005

By 

a local (kennett square, pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: May & Marielle (Audio CD)

el toro is not only a great band, but a great group of guys. marcus went to my high school and got el toro to come back to play at our after-prom one year. while in high school he played with a group called the mercury decision, who were a big deal in our area. its just great to see a small band of committed musicians finally get some recognition.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great local band, April 18, 2005

By 

of my favorite locals "on of my favortie locals" (perkasie, pa usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: May & Marielle (Audio CD)

not too long ago i went to a local show ( their cd realese show in quakertown) to see a perfect kiss, who happened to be sharing the stage with el toro. what can i say el toro was amazing. they had so much energy live and was one of the most fun bands ive ever seen locally. the bass player was simply amazing. the cd lacks the energy of their live show but is still an amzing cd.