Tooth and Nail. The Jersey-based, girl-fronted, punk-influenced pop band's third album, was recorded and produced by Stephen Egerton and Bill Stevenson (Descendents/All) at their studio in Colorado. Check out their web site at www.element101.com
There aren't enough bands these days who don't just sound like a mish-mash of other bands and influences, but who come out with something fresh, unique, AND really good. Luckily, God has blessed us with Element101, a band who started off as a 50's-rock-sounding punk band but have now progressed to straight-ahead, guitar-driven pop. Although there's still a bit of 50's charm to this album, I hear a bit more similarity to 80's pop turned into an unmistakably modern sound. Crissie's vocals are stronger than ever, her uniquely sweet voice harmonizing beautifully over their patented guitar stylings. It's hard to describe the way the guitars are played, but I guess you could say it's a mixture of repeated quick stops and intelligent chord voicings (you'll have to take my word that it's the PERFECT sound for this kind of pop and yet has never really been done before like this). I can't leave out the bass and drums, that while they rarely REALLY stand out over the rest, are extremely strong and talented (anyone who has seen the band live knows Sal's bass playing is a major part of the performance).
The flow on this album is beautiful, each song having a proper mix of catchy hooks and building, crafted so well that the songs work equally well on their own as well as a continuous piece of music. Particular favorites of mine are Standing on the Edge of Night (which was featured on Tooth and Nail's new Penalty Box sampler) and A Wish For You. Towards the end of the album, the music gives a hint to what may be in the future of this band, slightly more progressive sounding music that reminds me a little bit of newer Lagwagon. I could go on forever about how wonderful this album is but for your sake I'll shut up now and just tell you to go buy this record the minute it comes out. Anyone with an open mind and/or a desire for something new and different that isn't following the pathetically boring emo trend needs to hear this incredible band.
A+
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Tom BastianTooth and Nail. The Jersey-based, girl-fronted, punk-influenced pop band's third album, was recorded and produced by Stephen Egerton and Bill Stevenson (Descendents/All) at their studio in Colorado. Check out their web site at www.element101.com Element101 has brought us an album that lends a breath of fresh air to a genre that has definitely been done over and over again. On Stereo Girl Element…Art for the Ears 2001Reviewed by Marco PovervestPunkish pop ditties, that's perhaps the best way for me to describe the songs of this New Jersey band. Compared to their previous musical piece this disc is even more poppy and less punky. The punkish twist is still clear in some of the songs (Just To Like You) but it's pushed further in the back now. The focus is on the fragile vocal pop styled singing of Crissie Verhagen and the rocking…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Matthew RiddleThere are many, many, many, bands in this world, some good, some not. We all compare bands to other bands: "They sound a lot like...." In reviews, I often list a few artists of similar style and sound to give you, the assiduous reader of my ramblings, an idea of what to expect when the reviewed album is listened to. I admit that with Element 101 I got nothing. This quintet from New Jersey plays a…Similar sounding releases
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