Elvis Perkins In Dearland - Elvis Perkins In Dearland

Elvis is back with the follow up to Ash Wednesday, this time as part of a band, though from their name it’s quite clear whose band it is. Lead track Shampoo comes across like a folk punk alternate take on Donovan’s Colours. Elvis has one of those strange but effective guttural vocal deliveries, a bit like the other Elvis, Costello that is. This comes across a lot on Hey, a skronky little thing that brings to mind a more zestful Beirut. The pace slows on Hours Last Stand, and the cracked beauty of Elvis’s voice shines through even more. It’s a tune that ebbs and flows ever so slightly, like ripples on the lake’s shore. It vocally reminds me of a more conventional Antony mixed with King Creosote. By the time we reach Send My Fond Regards To Lonelyville we’re still experiencing some lovely keep the homefires burning rustic style folk, but there’s little in the way of dynamics to hold your attention and prevent from the songs starting to just wash over you. I’ll Be Arriving is weird and eerie, like the debt collector trudging through a heavy snowfall to get to your door. The backwoods sound and comforting brass make Chains, Chains, Chains into a heartfelt lament, Doomsday is surprisingly upbeat, almost like a updated polka or something and 123 Goodbye shuffles by like a Fence Collective off cut.

Elvis Perkins In Dearland is released by XL Recordings on April 6th
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