Summer is definitely here! This week, we have a great review of this
summer's biggest release, THE BIG SURPRISE. Also, in honor of the
big surprise, you could win a copy! Just stay subscribed to
cMusicMail, and we'll pick FIVE people to recieve a free CD!

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THE BIG SURPRISE - THE ELMS (2001)
by Josh M. Shepherd
Joy--where'd it go? Child-like faith has evolved into doctrinal
systems. Relationships (think cliques and divorces) have become
cruel. And give-it-everything melodies set to jangly guitars are
pigeonholed as "oldies rock." A million debates, disappointments,
and drab albums later, audacious rockers The Elms prod listeners into
a carefree reality.

The sort of record where every song will have its own fan club, The
Big Surprise doesn't cower behind syrupy production, nor does it
repeat some sweet nothing and call it a chorus. "You can't ever take
it or fake it" attests to the lyrical coyness here; so does "put 'em
up and say it today." Off-the-cuff remarks let out The Elms' secret:
happiness is ours for the taking, so why make it so complicated? New
listeners won't immediately notice all this and, fortunately, these
are four seasoned musicians. Flamboyant Owen Thomas (lead
writer/singer) displays a stature that belies his age, even while his
words hash out specific, post-teen moments. Sensitivity to every
song emanates from Owen's bro Chris (drums), who clearly knows and
loves his job. On bass, Keith Lee Miller rounds out the rhythm
section; guitar fill-ins and vocals complements via Thom Daugherty
are a show within the show.

Segueing in and out of jock rock, Big Surprise opener "Hey, Hey"
cheers on the victory of faith over fair-minded doubts. Lifting
one's countenance, Owen and Co. offer "Here's My Hand" in a song that
first brings The Love Sponges Quartet to light, along with The Elms'
Beatlesque style. Like the Fab Four's hits, breezy strings and
pleasant guitar slack off on the effects work, but require lyrics and
melodies to be precisely attuned to each other (as these ten cuts
are). High-strung energy made flesh, track three uncovers "Who Got
the Meaning": namely, those who stay loyal just "cos You say so,"
leaving Superman feats to One more capable. Similar yet vastly
different, "The Buzzing Won't Stop!" and "A Minute to Ourselves" pace
the album well, the former a senuous ode to peers, the latter about
the God/man relationship ("Minute" plays on the indelible line "We
could find places to go ~ We could unlearn all we know").

Planting irony, yearning, and conceit in well-watered creative soil,
album centerpiece "The Big Surprise" grows on you like moss. All
four minutes, forty-one seconds pointedly wallow in self pity,
exhibiting how good deeds cover heart issues. Radio hit "Lifeboat"
teems with a 1990's rock rip tide, 21st century worship that's stays
aware by hearing God's voice. "Let your Father breathe" impels the
flawless pop creation "You Get Me Every Time," a reading into
perceptions that grabs truly momentous work from this elite foursome
(they would surely credit producer Brent Milligan). Reappearing from
The Elms EP, a confession of other affections called "You're Glowing"
eventually takes up the God chase. The album closer is the Elton
John-imitative "Real Men Cry," which either stumbles or solidifies
the band's footing, depending on who one surveys. As always, The
Elms find preaching less helpful than pinching listeners with tart
conclusions: "Go where the wind blows ~ But you'll answer to
something someday."

Such sterling harmonies and never-lagging rock symphony spell out
many prosperous years ahead for The Elms --so much so that Beatles
comparisons won't stop coming. John Lennon's competent quartet lived
off their era's prevalent loves, discarding innocence for sensuality
(albeit toned down lyrically). Two generations later, an artless
culture screams impurity, prompting a social rebellion more
legitimate than that in the 1960's. Only The Elms's revolutionary
goal isn't cultural or political, rather to muddle through another
day's pleasures and pitfalls. Certainly The Big Surprise if ever
there was one.

Find out more about The Elms at cMusicWeb.com (including an in-depth
interview):
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/theelms


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JULY 17 (at cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

INVITATION TO EAVESDROP - SHAUN GROVES
Although he shares the same last name, he is not related to the
newest folk/pop artist, Sara Groves. His sound is bit more edgy.
But, like Sara, Shaun delivers with very personal lyrics about his
life and faith.

LET'S FRLY - CHERI KEAGGY
This time, they share the last name, and they are in-laws. And now
that Cheri is on a new label, her sound has been updated, bringing a
less inspirational and bigger pop/rock sound. No doubt, this is
definitely because of the deft guitar work of her most famous in-law,
Phil Keaggy.


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View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
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AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

WORSHIP: http://cMusicWeb.com/worship
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever 2 - Various [7/31]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


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