Since then, Elliott have toured every inch of North America, building a substantial and loyal fanbase, playing on every type of bill imaginable. Metal/hardcore to alt/emo bands, Elliott have played with all of them and to much commendation. In fact, the band welcomes and often times prefers the opportunity to play with bands as dissimilar to them as possible. From the success of their debut 7" and the massive buzz that the band had created, the attention of Revelation Records was caught. Elliott's Rev debut was recorded in two halves. One at Easley Studios in Memphis and the other at Rondor Studios in L.A. The two sessions were mastered together and melded into U.S. Songs which now has Elliott as a shoe-in to inherit the title of "best new band." The album is a masterpiece, displaying Higdon's memorable, emotional vocals and the band's talented songwriting capabilities. Higdon's voice and the dynamics of Elliott's music embody the band's sound on U.S. Songs: melancholy and bliss simultaneously.
False Cathedrals
With the release of their second full length False Cathedrals, Elliott has earned their place within the genealogy of Louisville bands that have broken with tradition and disregarded conventional formulas (Slint, Squirrel Bait, etc.). Indeed, the reverberations of such non-KY bands as Fugazi, Quicksand and Radiohead can be felt in their music. If stylistic similarities to such contemporaries as Jimmy Eat World or No Knife can be made, it can also be stated that Elliott has successfully constructed a sound that can only be described as their own. Though that sound is most definitely planted in the guitar-oriented standards of post-punk, it is through the elegantly understated use of electronics and piano, the fluid bass lines interweaving its way between staccato-tribal drum work and vocalist Chris Higdon's impassioned performances that Elliott creates their latest, a masterpiece of subtlety.
The LP's opener of "Voices/Calm Americans" is about as close to perfect as a band can get; its staggered bass-piano structured beneath a steady crescendo brewing behind the deceptively simple guitar lines. As powerful as any hardcore band out there, it is the more subdued pieces that showcase the incredible songwriting skills and technical abilities that make Elliott so special. "Blessed By Your Own Ghost" showcases the strongest use of electronic gadgetry on the album creating as evocative a sound as anything Brian Eno has ever done. The eerily commanding "Dying Midwestern" is floor-room model of restraint and quiet beauty, culminating in a guitar blowout of meaty proportions. On the other side of the coin, "Drive On To Me" rocks from start to finish with its anthemic chorus, pensive lyrics (shades of such authors as J.G. Ballard perhaps?) and beautifully layered vocal harmonies. With production credited to Tobias Miller (False Cathedrals is the first album he's produced, though work with such varied artists as Fiona Apple, The Wallflowers and Korn must have come in handy), False Cathedrals is a landmark recording in the field of post-punk bands. Clean, but not polished, innovative, yet, unassuming in its glory, the overall sound is as solid as it is diverse.
With the release of False Cathedrals, Elliott has opted to stride right on past the brink and into the open fields of greatness. Now its just time for the world to catch up. Expect heavy touring and consistently inspiring live performances to take care of that end.
Song in the Air
After touring Europe and the US in 2000 and 2001, a slightly dirty but enriched Elliott came home, rebooted, and in July of 2001 - began recording and investigating the new songs they had been making together. Song in the Air, Elliott's third full length, is the first record they have made with the addition of Benny Clark on guitar and Jason Skaggs on bass. The idea was to make a quick and easy EP but the ideas kept coming and songs kept growing. At times the prospect of insanity didn't seem too far off... But, finally, in November of 2002 the project was finished. Song In The Air had been created.
Tracks from Song in the Air are some of Elliott's best yet. These songs are infused with an immediate - urgent, feeling.... and that gives us, the listeners, a view of something that hasn't been cleaned up and fabricated.
In the process of recording it (which, in itself, is a fairly big story about running their own home studio and deciding to handle all of the recording duties of the record themselves) they enlisted some great musicians and others from the Louisville area to help out, including a string quartet assembled by Christian Frederickson of The Rachel's.
Photorecording
Photorecording, Elliott's finale, comes at first with a feeling of loss - the depth and meaning that so many associated with this band is immeasurable. But you'll find it's more of a fond farewell than just a band breaking up. The legacy left behind by one of Louisville's most beloved is one that will endure, and this release closes the door with a close look into the final days (and hours) of the band in 2003.
Photorecording is a live studio album recorded directly after their last performance, and also included is the never before seen DVD documentary of Elliott's last tour. The CD+DVD set compiles the aforementioned live studio recording and documentary as well as bonus footage of live shows during the last two years of Elliott's existence. Anyone who is familiar with the band will tell you that the live show is a big part of what made Elliott amazing. The shows not only complemented their prolific recordings, but also enriched the experience for even the most casual fans of Elliott - to miss their live show would be considered a crime. Photorecording is a monument to this great band that still has fans looking forward to each member's future projects.
Kevin Ratterman is currently in a new band called Wax Fang. He also runs an independent studio in Louisville, KY called the Funeral Home Studios.
Benny Clark did a tour with a band called Unwed Sailor.
Chris Higdon is currently working in Louisville, KY on his small photography business, Kriech-Higdon Photography, which focuses primarily on bands and weddings. He is also in a new band named Frontier(s).
http://www.myspace.com/frontiersband
Billy Bisig is now playing in a band called Wolverine Brass in Louisville, KY.
Circles
Elliott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was I saw that herst come rolling for to take my mother away.
undertaker under taker undertaker please drive slow
Because the body that you are carrying lord I hate to see her go.
will the circle be unbroken by and by lord by and by.
Ther's abetter home awaiting is the sky lord in the sky
Oh, I followed close behind her
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
I went back home, my home was lonesome
Missed my mother, she was gone
All of my brothers, sisters crying
What a home so sad and lone
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
We sang the songs of childhood
Hymns of faith that made us strong
Ones that Mother Maybelle taught us
Hear the angels sing along
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
The song "Circles" by Elliott is a classic gospel tune that tells the story of the singer's grief over his mother's passing. The song begins with the singer looking out his window on a cold, cloudy day and seeing the hearse coming to take his mother away. The chorus, "will the circle be unbroken by and by lord by and by. There's a better home awaiting is the sky lord in the sky," speaks to the hope and comfort that the singer finds in the idea that his mother will be reunited with loved ones who have passed before her in a better place.
The second verse of the song describes the singer's attempts to hold back his sorrow and be brave as he follows behind the hearse. But ultimately, he cannot hide his grief when his mother is laid to rest. The third verse reveals the emptiness that the singer feels in his home now that his mother is gone, with his siblings also grieving. The final verse speaks of the power of the music that the singer and his family grew up with, hymns of faith that his mother taught them and that continue to bring them solace as they mourn her passing.
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing by my window on one cold and cloudy day.
On a bleak day, I stood by my window in despair.
Was I saw that herst come rolling for to take my mother away.
I saw the undertaker's hearse taking my mother away.
undertaker under taker undertaker please drive slow
I pleaded with the undertaker to drive slowly as he carried my mother's body.
Because the body that you are carrying lord I hate to see her go.
I mourned my mother's death and couldn't bear to see her go.
will the circle be unbroken by and by lord by and by.
I wondered if the cycle of life and death will ever end.
Ther's abetter home awaiting is the sky lord in the sky
I found solace in the belief that there is a better afterlife waiting for my mother in the sky.
Oh, I followed close behind her
I followed my mother's hearse closely.
Tried to hold up and be brave
I tried to stay strong and be brave.
But I could not hide my sorrow
Despite my efforts, I couldn't conceal my immense sadness.
When they laid her in the grave
I watched as they buried my mother in her final resting place.
I went back home, my home was lonesome
I went back to my home which was now lonely without my mother.
Missed my mother, she was gone
I missed my mother who was no longer with me.
All of my brothers, sisters crying
My siblings and I cried together, mourning our loss.
What a home so sad and lone
Our home felt empty and sad without our mother.
We sang the songs of childhood
To ease our pain, we sang old songs from our childhood.
Hymns of faith that made us strong
These hymns gave us strength and faith during this difficult time.
Ones that Mother Maybelle taught us
The hymns were the same ones our mother, Maybelle, had taught us when we were young.
Hear the angels sing along
As we sang, we envisioned the angels in the sky singing along with us.
Will the circle be unbroken
I continued to wonder if the cycle of life and death would ever end.
By and by, Lord, by and by
I didn't know when or if this cycle would ever end.
There's a better home a-waiting
Despite my doubts, I hoped for a better home in the afterlife.
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
My faith comforted me in the belief that this better home was waiting for us in the sky.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Alvin Pleasant Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@okthenproductions9496
UNDERRATED AF don't worry this is just the beginning.
@EliottOfficial
thank you!
@lanalee-3792
I don’t usually enjoy watching ad’s but there was something about you when I saw your ad, the song has such a natural feel to it and it made me extremely emotional. I am still surprised that this doesn’t have more views. I’ve never seen or heard a singer like you and this was so refreshing to see :)
@sillymelonjam
ikr when I saw this I was like woah, I like this
@EliottOfficial
Thank you so much. Really appreciate the message <3
@squishaddict8228
Her voice is amazing
@richardl5789
I love this ❤ "maybe next summer I will be happy with me" Hits hard 😢
@anfelhz1102
Are you happy now ?
@_JC_21
How about now?
@Lentilboots
Love the background street noises and your steps. Sounds like a really personal song. Thank you for sharing your music with us!