Description
Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll is the sophomore full-length album by the American rock band The Elms, released on Sparrow Records in October 2002, distributed by Chordant Distribution Group. The album was recorded by David Bianco and Brent Milligan, assisted by Brandon Epps, at Sondwerks in Brentwood and Treasure Isle Recorders in Nashville, Tennessee; with Milligan producing. Mixed by Richard Dodd – assisted by Chris Henning, Richie Biggs, and Tom Endries – at Vital Recordings in Nashville. All songs written by lead vocalist Owen Thomas with track 12 co-written by Thomas Daugherty.
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 Blair Masters on piano and Hammond organ. Background vocals provided by The TSR&R Voices; Jovaun Woods, LeAnne Palmore, and Nirva Dorsaint. Strings provided by The Love Sponge Strings.
In January this year I learned that one of my favourite bands, Del Amitri, had a new album for imminent release. Come Easter, when it finally hit the shops, I duly bought it. A week later I emailed their website to tell them it was pants! This, on the other hand, is the kind of album I was expecting from the Dels. Guitar-driven, lyric and vocal stretching and superbly produced. What’s more amazing is that this is The Elms’ “difficult” second album and their average age is only 22! For me, it is refreshing to hear a guitarist play the instrument in a variety of styles and with complete ease. Thom Daugherty’s influences include Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), George Harrison and for crunching guitar chords, Sir Angus of Acdcland. Owen Thomas handles all the vocals. I like his range and tone but a Bon Scott he is not. The opener, «Speaking In Tongues», clearly demonstrates how tight and accomplished they are as musicians. Power chords all over the place with pounding drums from Owen’s brother, Chris. It’s a pity that this is the first track as Owen’s voice is somewhat weak and hard rock is not his strength. It could leave you thinking that the other 11 tracks will be the same. However, I am pleased to announce that Owen’s vocal abilities are clearly at home with less heavy guitar chords. In fact tracks like «Happiness» couldn’t be sung better by anybody in the business. This CD will be kept in the player for a long time to come, it really is that good. The future is bright and the buzz Stateside is that they are going to break into the mainstream big time. Go and get the album now so that in a few years’ time when everybody wants a slice of The Elms, you can say “I bought them before anyone had heard of them!” [Martin Purnell, Cross Rhythms, January 2003]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/truth-soul-rock-roll/724739836)
CD tracklist:
01. Speaking In Tongues
02. You Saved Me
03. All The While Having Fun!
04. Burn And Shine
05. The First Day
06. You Got No Room To Talk!
07. Come To Me
08. Let Love In
09. Go Toward The Glow
10. Through The Night
11. Happiness
12. Smile At Life Again
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