Elk City - Souls In Space
ELK CITY RELEASES ‘SOULS IN SPACE’ EP
New Jersey art-pop/dream-pop outfit Elk City released a new EP, entitled Souls In Space, on October 18. Recorded and mixed by Ray Ketchem, the EP was mastered by Alan Douches, whose name pops up frequently, making him the wizard of mastering.
Elk City's Renee LoBue
The band is made up of Renee LoBue (vocals, mouth bass), Ray Ketchem (drums, percussion, synths), Sean Eden (electric and acoustic guitars), Carl Baggaley (piano, organ, synths), Martin Olson (bass, baritone guitar), and Claudia Chopek (violin, viola).
According to the band’s Facebook page, LoBue and Ketchem hooked up by means of a musician wanted ad, resulting in the formation of Melting Hopefuls, which released a single, an album, and an EP, and dissolved when Mercury Records’ management changed, with the band’s label debut already in the can.
LoBue and Ketchem put together a new band, Elk City. Signing with a French imprint, they released Status,The Sea Is Fierce EP, and Hold Tight The Ropes, touring Europe with The National, The Walkmen, and Luna. Following a line-up change, they released two albums, New Believers and House of Tongues, followed by more touring, followed by recording another album, Everybody’s Insecure.
Souls In Space encompasses five-tracks, starting off with “Dream On Tip Toe,” featuring a potent bassline accented by gleaming guitars and lustrous streaming colors. A psychedelic-flavored solo section imbues the tune with swirling kaleidoscopic savors, flowing into a futuristic sparkling guitar solo.
It’s a beautiful song because of overspills of sound, and might be the best track on the EP.
“Pity Of A Rose” opens on oozing, emerging tones, as LoBue’s wickedly hushed voice lingers overhead, infusing the lyrics with delicious textures. I love the tocking of the woodblock in the rhythm, as guitar washes shimmer with glinting coloration.
“Luncheonette” rolls forth on a measured undulating rhythm topped by gentle luminous guitars. An elegant piano adds graceful sonic suggestions, as LoBue’s voice takes on hints of dreamy creamy sing-song essence.
“Judy Knows How” rides an art-pop melody flavored with remote tinctures of alt-country and prog-rock aromas, resulting in a resonant captivating song surging with deluges of soaring energy. It’s a beautiful song because of overspills of sound, and might be the best track on the EP.
“What’s The Damage” pours out darker colors, almost ominous, on waves of curling, angular colors. A heaving swelling organ fills the tune with billowing prog-rock relish reminiscent of Pink Floyd, only more radiant.
With Souls In Space, Elk City delivers innovative layers of harmonics, both ethereal and full-bodied, along with bravura vocals from Renee LoBue.
