This year has been pretty weird so far. No huge discoveries, but great albums by already well-respected artists. Usually it's the other way around. It could be worse, I don't complain. But listening to Earlimart's third album feels nice. Here comes something fresh, here comes something new. 

They're from California, Grandaddy's Jason Lytle produced one track (the album's hit single, We Drink on the Job) and singer/writer Aaron Espinoza produced the rest of the album in a magnificent way. The album starts with the lazy We're so Happy (We Left the Piano in the Trunk) which reminds me of THE DANDY WARHOLS. I know, I'm sorry, but it reminds me of the Dandy Warhols. The laziness in Espinoza's voice coupled with the repetitive lyrics... ok, I know.

The rest of the album doesn't sound like the Dandy Warhols. It sounds like SPARKLEHORSE. Yes. That's better, isn't it ? And besides, the first song doesn't sound like a bad Dandy Warhols song, that would have been pretty ugly. No, ladies and gentlemen, it sounds like a nice Dandy Warhols song, because, even though some of you (like, you) tend to forget it (and it's ok, i understand it) the Dandy Warhols were cool at some point. I'm pretty sure most of you told your friends back in '96 that you thought Lou Weed was brilliant, while it's just a ok song with a funny title. AND YOU KNEW IT.

It doesn't sound original AT ALL. The band will probably never be fashionable. But on the other hand the album's filled with great songs held together by a brilliant production. We Drink on the Job, also known has We dirnk on teh Jooooooooob!!! round here, is great and you will not, no you won't, no you won't, escape its glorious chorus and grandaddy-esque piano/casio lines. The rest of the album was not produced by Jason Lytle and it doesn't sound as Grandaddy-ish. It sounds indie and American the way Grandaddy and Sparklehorse sound indie and American. In an humble yet talented way.  

The album is 12 songs and 32 minutes long and that's something I like. Everything was recorded in THE SHIP, which is a home studio and also the name of a collective they're part of. "Ship" is also the name given to a large seagoing vessel. The Ship is an analog studio and you can hear it, but it feels nice. It's lo-fi in an hi-fi way, even though this doesn't mean anything. Great summer album.  

-Barbara H

/july 1st 2003/