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Elliot Minor : 'Solaris'

 

Elliot Minor : 'Solaris'

 

Released: Out Now!!!

Label: Repossession Records

 

Back with their second studio album, Elliot Minor promise the same brand of powerpop that made them so successful in the first place. Although certainly not to everyone's taste, they produce consistent tracks that will no doubt delight their legions of fans. 

Whilst not winning any prizes for ingenuity, Solaris sticks to what the band know and does it well. Opener “The Dancer” is an epic start, with whispered vocals and dappled strings easing into a track that develops into a fast paced  effort typical of the band. Infused with their relentless guitaring and metronymic rhythms, “I Believe” also proves a solid effort. Featuring a typically catchy chorus and vocal harmonies it is sure to be a crowd favourite in the near future.

Despite having a strong idea of what they do best, several ill advised ballads are likely to confuse a lot of people. “Coming Home” is an intricate but cringe-worthy effort, with vocalist Alex Davies sounding nasal from the start accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. Hollow lyrics to little to lift the mood, and even the addition on keyboards and a drastic increase in volume do little to make it's five minutes any more bearable. Similarly the horrendously titled “Discover (Why The Love Hurts)” offers little but a cringe, beginning with a forgettable piano melody and morphing into a power ballad of ill conceived proportions. It is fair to say Elliot Minor are at their best when enjoying themselves, and such seriousness should be left to other bands, or done with more sincerity.

Yet despite these faults, there is enough positivity to gloss over it. “Shiver” is a slightly heavier version of the tried and tested formula, crashing guitars paving the way for the sonorous explosion of instruments to follow, whilst title track “Solaris” sees the band in full flow, Davies striking a good vocal balance over a solid instrumental basis.

Ticking the majority of the boxes that their fans will no doubt demand, Solaris is a fairly solid second effort. Some decidedly shaky attempts at ballads aside, it showcases what Elliot Minor are good at and what they have become successful for.



Words: Dan Grose

 

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