New Earlimart Album – ‘Mentor Tormentor”

Following the release of Treble and Tremble in 2004, Los Angeles based Earlimart (they are named after the town in Northern CA) have just released a new album “Mentor Tormentor” on MajorDomo Records. “Treble..” slowly became one of my favourite releases of 2004, a nice natural growth from earlier releases saw Earlimart put together a wonderful album that I’ve returned to many times.

Therefore, it was with some trepidation that I listened to the new album, wondering what the band could and would do next. I needn’t have worried.

From the opening track ‘Fakey Fake’ the melodic pulse of a band totally in sync is apparent. Suddenly during the opening track, booming percussion diverts the daydream from calming to agitating – but in a ‘pay attention’ way. “Answers and Questions” is a wonderful example of the energy of the band, production feels tighter than previous and backing vocals by Murray are interspersed exactly when and where needed. Other standouts are the piano led ‘Happy Alone’ where lead vocals are handled by Ariana. Acoustic guitar opens “The Little Things’ which has a nursery rhyme lullaby quality that is simply tranquil. Thematically the album leans toward love lost and hints of revenge, though ultimately belief in yourself. “Everybody knows Everybody” has the most similarity to the earlier material by Earlimart, though in truth this sounds like a much better and more sophisticated band. The constant and tiresome Elliot Smith comparisons can be placed where they deserve to be, three albums back.

Aaron Espinoza’s breathy vocals mesh perfectly with layered and textured pop to create a masterpiece. Layered string arrangements by Ariana Murray in combination with real Cellos & Violins give songs a tremendous pallette. The two mainstays are joined by a number of other musicians. I don’t like to compare bands if I can help it, while the return to bass/guitar/drums rawness remains favoured these days, Earlimart bring back some of the best elements of post punk synths and strings. At times I hear the groove from earlier Factory Records artists; then it lurches to Moojave 3 while Doves, Slowdive and moments by the Delgados also come to mind. Perhaps Scotland’s Delgados (sadly missed) are the best analogy I can draw – and that’s a fantastic proposition. A great album, balanced and poised for greatness Earlimart come up trumps. Now if only we had a rocky coastline nearby to drive alongside while listening.

Earlimart live are not to be missed and have just announced a national tour on their website – and they will be in Phoenix at the Paper Heart on Oct 22. Do yourself a favour and go and see them.