Search - Essex Green :: Essex Green

Du bist doch grün -- dies ist aber grüner...

boeanthropist | Cambridge, MA | 01/31/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"More ambitious than their full-length, this 5-song EP is comprised of 2 predictably lovely psych-pop numbers, one piece of filler ("New Orleans" -- it's competent, but no more than that to my ears) and 2 longer (approx. 6 min. each) songs, which take that patented Essex Green sound in a new, almost prog-rock direction -- that's prog-rock circa Soft Machine II, not prog-rock circa ELP. It's ambitious, it's still pop, but it's very wonderful and different. Lemon and mint-leaves, henbane and well-tended ferns, the realities of Prospect Park buried under clouds of all the Little Nemo in Slumberland vibes which the Parade Ground releases when scuffed with the flat of a shoe... and guest vocals by a feline. Wish their sibling band, The Ladybug Transistor, could get it so together -- this is precisely the album that "The Albemarle Sound" aspired to be."

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Brian | Tampa, Florida United States | 09/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This EP is shorter, sharper and stronger than The Essex Green's 1999 full-length release, "Everything is Green." The first song, "Fabulous Day," is long and simple, yet it doesn't overstay its welcome. The second song, "Trees," smacks of filler, but "Chester," the EP's best song, follows. Flutist/keyboardist/guitarist Sasha Bell shines here, showing off great vocal range atop a strong, catchy melody. Next up is "New Orleans," a remake of a song the band did when its personnel was slightly differrent and it was called Guppyboy. I haven't heard the Guppyboy version, but this one is mellow and sweet. The final track, "Bald," starts out promisingly with more than a minute of great, instrumental psychedelic music. Then the vocals start, the song takes a sharp left and things fall apart. Still, 3.5 great songs on a five-song EP is a pretty good ratio; the band's full-length release didn't quite hit the 70 percent mark. This EP was released in 2000 and the LP in 1999, but these songs actually were recorded before those on "Everything is Green." The Essex Green lags behind fellow Elephant 6 bands Neutral Milk Hotel and The Apples in stereo in terms of overall quality, but comes in ahead of standout labelmates The Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power and The Music Tapes. The band shares members and similarities with The Ladybug Transistor, which has released two strong albums and a decent live album (which it sells on its Web site)."