It’s been a few years since Cheers Elephant’s self-titled debut LP, and naturally things have changed a bit during that interval. The band is still reminiscent of all the best British Invasion folk rock, like some Byrds-meets-Yardbirds combo refined by time. But the slight psychedelic tinge from the first album has been curbed on their sophomore effort Man is Nature, and the production’s sound is somewhat more subdued. The songwriting is also decidedly more “mature”, but still full of the rollicking folkie rhythms and warm, tube amp licks that we’ve come to know.
Opener “Shark Attack” is inviting and should be considered a front runner for the first single, a piece of spontaneous power-pop that wouldn’t sound out of place on the current Polyvinyl Records roster. “My Bicycle Ride” has the vocal harmonies kicked into full gear and sports a soaring hook. The two ballads, “¿Come Es La Vida?” and “Jumbo Shrimp”, are remarkably similar, but the former has a Latin-inflected chorus and in the latter, a scorching blues riff rears its ugly head at critical moments. The second half of the album provides the band some room to be playful. “Comment Allez-Vouz” is a Kinks-y number that makes fun use of its title. “Captain Crowninshield” has that silly, psychedelic era Beatles feel. At first, “Slide Jelly” is a closer that completely sounds like a closer. Ominous outdoorsy sounds permeate the background as a lonesome lap steel snakes its way in. But then, sparks fly and the most off-kilter moment of the LP intercuts the solitude. The lap steel gets deranged and a frenzy of “la-la-las” ascend to goofy heights, only to recede again.
It’s to Cheers Elephant’s credit that their tunes go down so easily, and for some of us, it’s even better that they’ve honed and polished their sound. For others, this might possibly be a bit of a griping point. Not that they’ve changed all that much since 2008, but I could imagine a few select people missing the rawer, more dynamic feel of their earlier material. When all is said and done, it just depends on who you ask. You can purchase and download Man is Nature here. – Joe Poteracki