Walking with the Beggar Boys

Elf Power

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 2004)
• Original Release Date: April 6, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Orange Twin
• ASIN: B0001KL5G2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,411 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
With a decade under their belts, the sixth album by the Athens, Georgia-based band Elf Power marks a bit of a change and expansion in their sound. With new members on board (Eric Harris formerly with Olivia Tremor Control, and Craig McQuiston from the Glands), the quintet moves easily from straight ahead, if slightly-fractured rockers, to fine slices of cerebral sonics. The title track, with guest Vic Chesnutt on hand for duet vocals, sounds as rooted in southern Americana as R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" (a band with whom they've toured, besides sharing a hometown). Elsewhere, "Evil Eye" chugs along like a more rural T. Rex, and "The Cracks" revels in mechanized rhythm tracks and eerily nostalgic synth runs. Throughout, they never lose track of their vital core interplay, celebrating the fine little engine that they are at all times. That the range of Elf Power is so broad comes as little surprise, given their past approaches, as well as their previous affiliations (muti-instrumentalist Laura Carter was a member of Neutral Milk Hotel). --David Greenberger

Product Description
Elf Power's latest album, "Walking With the Beggar Boys," marks a definite change in sound and style for Athen, Georgia's underground cult favorites. New members Eric Harris (Olivia Tremor Control) and Craig McQuiston (The Glands) join longtime members Andrew Rieger, Laura Carter and Aaron Wegelin, reinventing the band both musically and lyrically.

Musically, the band is all over the map this time, going from sleazy T Rex rockers to psychedelic electronica and blown-out Southern boogie romps ("Never Believe" even features a duet with folk/rock legend Vic Chesnutt). Lyrically, the band foregoes the abstract supernatural imagery of their past releases for a more straightforward lyrical approach, with songs about the effects of advertising in modern America, love songs and even strange, autobiographical stories about meeting up with a gang of beggar children in Warsaw. Elf Power's finest moment is here, so listen up!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Suprisingly Tight Glam-Pop, April 8, 2005

By	Pop Kulcher "Pop Kulcher" (San Carlos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Surprisingly enough, one of my favorite albums of 2004. I'd always viewed Elf Power as strictly second-tier among the ranks of the neo-pop-psychedelia bands under the Elephant 6 collective umbrella. They lacked the sheer pop chops of Apples in Stereo, the psychedelic craftsmanship of Olivia Tremor Control, and the lyrical intensity of Neutral Milk Hotel. But with most of those bands long gone, Elf Power rises to the occasion with a straightforward glam-infused rock album. Gone are the twisted, fantasy-infused story-songs of recent releases, and the lo-fi sonic meanderings. This stuff is straight-out catchy with no apologies. The title track is one of those riff-driven pop songs you can play 5 times straight and just keep going, and a few other songs come close. Any indie pop album that offers 4-5 tracks worthy of inclusion on your next upbeat mix tape is way ahead of the pack.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In it for the Long Haul..., April 20, 2004

By	Roger E. Hartley (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Beggar Boys" has been reviewed by others as a change in direction by Elf Power, but EP fans know that this record exemplifies a long evolution of a veteran band that bridges many genres of rock with albums that blend psych-pop, punk, power pop, and genuinely nice ballads. This album has many incredible pop songs including "Never Believe", "Hole in my Shoe", and "Don't let it be." Not to be missed is the title track, which includes a guest appearance by songwriter/legend Vic Chesnutt. The title and Chesnutt appearance make you think "ballad" but you get a fun, poppy, sleazy little number that makes you want to sing it. "Drawing Flies" is also a Sleazy/70s/glammy rock kind of T-Rex hit...a MUST listen.

Many indie rock bands are born, live, and die, but the "Beggar Boys" album made me think of Elf Power as a sophisticated group that has gone beyond existing on imagination and weirdness alone. They continue to learn, experiment, and write excellent songs. They are not growing...but have grown..and they are in it for the long haul.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad song on it!, April 14, 2004

By A Customer

This is a great album period. This is the first album I've heard by Elf Power and I think it's a great introduction to the band. The album reminds me of a mix between T Rex and Superchunk. There's not a bad track from beginning to finish and the guitars sound phenominal. Hands down one of the best albums of 2004.