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.
Superstitions in Travel
Elliott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of Elliott's song Superstitions in Travel describe a relationship in which the two parties are struggling to keep things together while also inviting their own troubles. The line "we're keeping up the fiction and breaking all the mirrors" suggests that they are trying to maintain the appearance of a healthy relationship, while also being self-destructive. The phrase "neglecting the cracks we walk on" further emphasizes their disregard for the warning signs.
Despite their difficulties, the singer recognizes the significance of their partner in their life. They describe the other person as "the luckiest symbol" and "the brightest single shining star" they've ever found, and admit that they would be lost without them. The repeated use of superstitious imagery, such as falling stars and lost astrology, suggests that the singer is searching for some sort of cosmic significance in their relationship, hoping that these signs will guide them on the right path.
The final lines of the song address the skeptics who may not believe in their relationship, suggesting that their love has defied the odds and should be celebrated. Overall, Superstitions in Travel portrays a relationship that is struggling, yet still holds immense significance for both parties involved.
Line by Line Meaning
we're keeping up the fiction and breaking all the mirrors.
We continue to deceive ourselves and ignore the reality of our situation, which only brings us bad luck and misfortune.
we're bringing our own troubles by neglecting the cracks we walk on.
Our carelessness and lack of attention to detail is placing us in danger and causing our own problems.
the daystar is burning in this black coffin we move in.
We are stuck in a hopeless and oppressive situation, where the sun is still shining but we are surrounded by darkness.
we tried to make it work out hundreds of miles apart.
Despite the physical distance between us, we attempted to keep our relationship alive and strong.
you are the luckiest symbol i've ever found and i'm a world away.
You are the one fortunate thing in my life, despite the fact that we are separated by great distances.
we are the final students in the dying art of lost astrology.
We are the last people interested in and studying the outdated practice of astrology that has been abandoned by most.
you are the brightest single shining star I saw from miles away.
In the darkness, you are the one source of light and hope that I can see even from afar.
it's superstitious but I keep on wishing on all the falling stars on hold for me.
Though it may seem foolish, I continue to hope for luck and good fortune by making wishes on shooting stars.
you keep on pulling and causing tension but you're the magnet.
Though you may be a source of conflict and friction in our relationship, you are also the one that attracts and holds us together.
if we never find the way home i'd be more than lost without you and to all the skeptic onlookers we should have never made it this far.
If we are never able to return to where we belong, I would be completely lost without you, and despite others' disbelief that we could make it this far, we have proven them wrong.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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