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.
Drive on to Me
Elliott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
we move too fast
to remember the drive on to me.
drive on to me,
we carved the days from the hours,
you showed me all i could have
in the drive on to me.
you were free when i was taken.
in the drive on to me.
you stop and i'm in over drive
you hooked the stars
with your eyes in the drive on to me.
accident when we needed,
i'm stronger as we near it.
we can't help to watch this whole
thing crash together.
we are the bruised and the tender.
we are the crack that was mended.
from all the times
we ever tried we should've found each
other in this drive on to me.
The lyrics in Elliott's song Drive on to Me seem to describe a relationship where one person feels grounded on earth, while the other is injured and may be struggling to keep up with the pace of life. Despite this, they remember a time when they were moving together at full speed toward each other, as indicated by the lines "we moved too fast, to remember the drive on to me". It seems that the two individuals may have experienced some kind of accident or obstacle along the way, but they were able to draw strength from each other as they approached it.
The lyrics suggest that the two have a deep connection, that goes beyond the physical realm. For example, in the lines "you hooked the stars with your eyes", there is an implication that the person being addressed has a powerful, almost magical quality that the other person is drawn to. Despite their difficulties, they continue to support and uplift each other, as seen in the lines "we are the bruised and the tender, we are the crack that was mended".
Overall, the song seems to be about the power of a deep and enduring relationship that can withstand difficult times. The phrase "drive on to me" seems to represent the idea of moving forward with determination and purpose, trusting that the other person will be there to support you along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
you're earth bound and i'm injured,
You are grounded and stable while I am hurt and unstable.
we move too fast to remember the drive on to me.
We are moving too quickly to recall the original motivation for being together.
drive on to me,
Keep pushing towards me, don't give up.
we carved the days from the hours,
We made the most of every moment we had.
you showed me all i could have in the drive on to me.
You helped me realize my full potential by pushing me forward.
you were free when i was taken.
You were unburdened while I was being held back.
you did your best to change that in the drive on to me.
You tried your hardest to help me break free and move forward.
you stop and i'm in over drive
Your absence has left me feeling overwhelmed and driven to compensate for what's missing.
you hooked the stars with your eyes in the drive on to me.
Your ambition and drive inspired me to reach for the stars.
accident when we needed, i'm stronger as we near it.
Despite the unexpected obstacles we encountered, I have grown stronger as we've faced them together.
we can't help to watch this whole thing crash together.
We are both powerless to stop the outcome of our situation, even though it will be painful.
we are the bruised and the tender.
We are fragile and vulnerable, but we can still persevere.
we are the crack that was mended.
We have overcome past difficulties and now stand as a stronger unit.
from all the times we ever tried we should've found each other in this drive on to me.
Despite all the challenges we faced, we were meant to come together and push each other forward.
Contributed by Andrew N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alejandro Gonzalez
You're earth bound, I'm injured,
We move too fast to remember the drive on to me.
Drive on to me, we carved the days from the hours,
You showed me all i could have in the drive on to me.
You were free when i was taken.
You did your best to change that in the drive on to me.
You stop and i'm in overdrive you look the stars with your eyes,
And then drive on to me.
Accident when we needed, i'm stronger as we near it.
We can't help to watch this whole thing crash together.
We are the bruised and the tender.
We are the crack that was mended.
From all the times we ever tried,
We should've found each other in this drive on to me
DESsid
Love this song with a passion.
Johnny Lostcause
That is absolutely beautiful
frost heaves
Life is one huge puzzle. Certain bits of memories that you gather up along the way are in fact pieces of the grand puzzle. My puzzle is coming together and this song was one of those pieces. I'm very fortunate to have found this band before they broke up. Excellent song writers and musicians.
Jonny Blaizer
Been hooked on this song since I first heard it about ten years ago
T
Holy hell, how have I not heard this song until now? It's like finding love again after your heart died. Fucking beautiful ❤️
kubomaly
this song reminds me of one gorgeous person that I'd love to say "I love you, marry me, spend the rest of your days together with me" so much, it hurts. Ten years ago, this was our song. Moral of the story? When you feel like doing something, do it immediately, because it just might be late the next day...
Abram Hodgens
What happened? 😢
Stu Mc
Was just going through an old box of unmarked CDs and found one labelled "Songs for traveling" and this was on it - had completely forgot it existed! What an amazing tune!
Ann Medeiros
I have been looking for this song forever since I heard it years ago, thanks for posting!!!
Maria Fernanda González
This song is really cool, thanks Frank Iero.