Description
The Big Surprise is the full-length debut album by the American rock band The Elms, released on Sparrow Records in 2001, distributed in the US by Chordant Distribution Group. The album was recorded by John Hampton, Jason Latshaw, and Brent Milligan at Ardent Studios in Memphis, at Sondwerks in Brentwood, and at Dark Horse Recording in Franklin, Tennessee; with Milligan producing. Arranged by Brent Milligan, Owen Thomas and the band. Mixed by Joe Baldridge (tracks 1 to 6, 8, and 10) and Chuck Zwicky (tracks 7 and 9) at Dark Horse Recording and The Salt Mine. All songs written by lead vocalist Owen Thomas.
The Elms feature Owen Thomas on guitar and lead vocals; Thomas Daugherty on guitar; Keith Miller on bass; and Christopher Thomas on drums and percussion. The album also features producer Brent Milligan on keyboards and bass with Michael Castille providing trumpet. Strings provided by The Love Sponge Strings.
After a dull recording debut this American team unexpectedly bounce back with a sound that refuses to be pigeon-holed. Bits of The Beatles, Supergrass, the Beach Boys, Blur, The Manics, Radiohead and even Robbie Williams are all recycled to form bright, summery, Britpop melodies. Packed full of radio friendly hooks, from the retro «Hey, Hey» as featured on the Cross Rhythms Experience 15, through the energetic guitar workout of «Who Got The Meaning» to the epic «The Big Surprise». The songs gently hint towards God, at their most powerful through the testimony of lines like, “Never in my life have you let me down,” “When I can’t swim/ You are a lifeboat” and “I could be yours and you’d be mine for all time.” Not quite the classic that broke All Star United but chasing hard on its heels. [Robin Budgell, Cross Rhythms, July 2001]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/big-surprise/724382023)
CD tracklist:
01. Hey, Hey – 3:10
02. Here’s My Hand – 5:07
03. Who Got The Meaning? – 3:10
04. The Buzzing Won’t Stop! – 4:05
05. A Minute To Ourselves – 4:29
06. The Big Surprise – 4:49
07. Lifeboat – 3:52
08. You Get Me Every Time – 4:09
09. You’re Glowing – 5:30
10. Real Men Cry – 3:53
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Sparrow Records.
“Hey Hey” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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