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The album packages a loosened-up (read: defanged), groove-centric sound, infinitely more urbane but so much more boring, too.
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There aren't many post-punk influenced bands around that sound as original and as removed from their influences as Pretty Girls Make Graves. There also aren't many that could write an album jammed with so many memorable songs.
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Amazingly, though Elan Vital easily could've become their resounding Sandinista flop, Zollo's clean vocals, knife-sharp melodies and subtle politically charged songwriting help secure its nomination as Pretty Girls' London Calling.
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The use of electronics, violins, trumpets and a whole litany of instruments at times is difficult to take in, and may indeed be too far a revolution for some.
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It is, at one time or another, twee reggae, hipster rock-ism, synth-pop balladry, post-Interpol gothickry. It's an inconsistency that's both noble and annoying.
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This is the thinking person's dance music with lyrical content to match.
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Many of Élan Vital's tracks take their cues from The New Romance's anthemic "This Is Our Emergency," never letting the oddball touches get in the way of the forward momentum.
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New Musical Express (NME)It's the sound of the band mutating from the exciting, mysterious person in the club to the partner you pee in front of and take shopping for carpets. [15 Apr 2006, p.35]
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Alternative PressElan Vital is easily the band's most adventurous disc to date. [Jun 2006, p.178]
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MojoThis is repeat-play head music that still manages to hotwire the heart. [May 2006, p.102]
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Paste MagazineTakes some weird chances. [Jun/Jul 2006, p.123]
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UncutElan Vital takes the visceral, intense beauty of... The New Romance and turns it up a notch. [May 2006, p.119]
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SpinUneven but fascinating. [May 2006, p.92]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 9 out of 15
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Mixed: 4 out of 15
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Negative: 2 out of 15
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AlexandriaCMay 3, 2007andrea is a very talented singer, and will continue to portray this, even though the band has split. this deserves a 10.
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dasmithJun 13, 2006There best yet.....I like pyrite pedestal and selling the wind the best I think.....
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TomMay 12, 2006