You can be forgiven for not knowing about this long-running (well, about a decade) Denton, Texas-based bunch led by erstwhile Eric Michener (aka Eric Fishboy). If I’m counting correctly (using my fingers) this is full-length number four (and a graphic novel/comic book, too) and hot on the heels of their previous one, Classic Creeps that was released in 2011 (and the one before that was 2007’s Albatross; How we failed to Save the Lone Star State with the Power of Rock and Roll). OK, so yeah, the band is big on concept albums and a lot of the time you have no idea what Michener is on about. Re: this new record there is some concept in there though I’m not 100% sure what it is….but I hear something about elephants that turn into ghosts (in fact, speaking of ghosts, one of the best songs on here is “I’m a Ghost”). Sometimes the band goes off on tangents, but on many of these songs Michener and his crew execute a level of commitment and determination not seen in a lot of indie rock/pop these days. In other words even if you’re not down with the concept album thing , don’t even worry about it, get An Elephant simply for being a record full for rockin’, catchy songs. Other songs worthy of your precious time include “Thomas Alva Waiting,” “Elephant in the Room,” “Dig a Grave: and a handful of others. If you dig most or all of the Elephant 6 catalog (specifically the Apples in Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel and Of Montreal) then this will float your boat. www.yofishboy.com
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