Earlimart – Hymn And Her
Laid back, drifty and almost entirely interest free is probably the best way I can describe the sixth outing from LA’s Indie Popsters Earlimart. Their early work drew them favourable comparisons to the likes of The Pixies and Sparklehorse, but I’m afraid none of that promise is fulfilled in this Death Cab-lite offering.
The album is undoubtedly lushly produced and lovingly crafted by the band, who have now slimmed down to a two piece, but unfortunately it seems almost devoid of any soul, catch or hook. The tracks like ‘God Loves You Best’ and ‘Face Down In The Right Town’ burble along pleasantly enough but without pulling the listeners attention away from anything else they may be doing.
There are just a couple of moments that defy the overall feeling of apathy. Halfway through ‘Great Heron Gates’, just as you fear singer Aaron Espinoza is actually going to slip in to a coma, comes a sudden Elbowesque burst of grandeur and the splendidly titled ‘Cigarettes and Kerosene’ displays a little grit and sports some interesting drum loops and noises, but these are the exceptions.
By and large this is a rather forgettable but inoffensive collection. I’d recommend this above buying, say, Coldplay or The Feeling but on the whole you’d be better served by quietly moving on to another part of the store and finding something a tad more interesting.
Top Tracks :‘Great Heron Gates’, ‘Cigarettes and Kerosene’.
Released 25/08/2008 on Independant
