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Album Review

Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Elvis Perkins in Dearland XL Recordings

Article written by James S - Apr 6, 2009

Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Elvis Perkins in Dearland

On the day that Spinal Tap announce their latest ‘world tour’, it seems an apposite time to look at one of rock and roll’s greatest clichés. I’ve no idea whose sophomore effort it was that failed to live up to a dazzling debut originally, but ‘the difficult second album’ has become as much a part of rock mythology as turning it up to 11.

Certainly, for every shoddy ’Second Coming’ there’s also a dazzling ’Dog Man Star’, and for every lacklustre Libertines there’ll always be sheer Nirvana. Presumably wanting to steer clear of the debate altogether, Elvis Perkins has chosen the smart route of making his second record also another debut of sorts. Following the critical success of his solo masterpiece ’Ash Wednesday’, comes this self-titled release from his new four-piece band Elvis Perkins in Dearland.

The early signs aren’t good at all though. Opener Shampoo isn’t exactly head and shoulders above his previous material and its successor Hey suffers from Perkins’ voice being buried too low in the guitar mix. Thankfully, Hours Last Stand marks a return to form with its upright bass, harmonium and slow marching drum providing the perfect foil for its maudlin lyrical lament.

With the exception of the dreadful chain gang dirge of I’ll Be Arriving, the rest continues to improve with repeated listens. Send My Fond Regards To Lonelyville is an acoustic jangle with more than a dash of Dylan to it and some nice trad folk touches, whilst Chains Chains Chains features some gorgeous brass notes. Doomsday starts off in a similar vein before throwing off its shackles to become the rollicking romp that was a highlight of Perkins’ live show last time around in London.

The anthemic string stabs on 123 Goodbye would’ve made a far more fitting end to this record than the lethargic How’s Forever Been Baby which ill-advisedly follows it. It’s just one of the flaws that mean that ‘Elvis Perkins in Dearland’ never really quite lives up to its predecessor and is ultimately a rather frustrating listen. Maybe there’s something in these old rock clichés after all.

Links:
http://www.elvisperkinsindearland.com
http://www.myspace.com/elvisperkinsindearland