Elias Lasting Distraction (Wax Records)

There has been a lot of hype from the music industry surrounding Vancouver based band Elias and the release of their latest album Lasting Distraction; Spin.com chose them as one of “eight must-hear bands from B.C.” and they have been on the radar of many blogs throughout Canada over the past little while. Having recorded and mixed the album with some heavy hitters in the industry, such as Mike Fraser (who has worked with the likes of Franz Ferdinand and ACDC), I was expecting something epic. Quite frankly, it just didn’t measure up for me. I mean, if my roommate had it playing in her room and I was forced to listen to it I wouldn’t turn it off, but I would never deliberately purchase or put on the album for my listening enjoyment.

I categorize this trio as a high school band that kids flock to because, let’s say, 102.1 the Edge say it’s cool.  If this band were around circa 2003, Seth Cohen would be going to see them play at the Bait Shop in Orange County and they would be included in the category of some of the ”not so good” indie bands featured on the show.  Yes, I did just make a reference to The OC, however there is one song on this album that I didn’t mind and it is ironically titled “Lasting Distraction”. Distraction? Yes, but only from the rest of the tracks on the album.  I’ll give the lead singer Brian Heaky the benefit of the doubt since his voice is actually pretty good, however not unique in any way. All and all, this band has no real substance or uniqueness; I’ve heard this sound before many times. 

Reviewed by Kristen Tignanelli