Elefant

Art imitates life

Unless you're a barfly or an Enzyte stockholder, "stiff" isn't a very fetching adjective. At best, it connotes cold reserve and efficiency; at worst, it means corpse. And yet stiff will go down as the prevalent rock descriptor of the early '00s, when The Strokes and Interpol appropriated plenty of rigid riffs -- but few of the fluid underpinnings -- of vintage post-punk. Elefant's 2003 debut, Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid, had an adding-machine beat that ticked precisely between the pop wind-up of The Strokes and Interpol's sourpuss pulse. But "Lolita," the first glimpse of The Black Magic Show, Elefant's imminent sophomore effort, almost sounds like the product of a living, shitting band. Leader Diego Garcia has whipped his group into a semblance of organic life, crafting a single with both breadth and breath -- curiously mirroring the recent evolutionary leap of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, with whom Elefant just kicked off a two-month tour. They still look like hipster ball sacs decked out in all black and last year's long hair, but at least they've learned to loosen up a little.

 
My Voice Nation Help
0 comments
Sort: Newest | Oldest
 

Concert Calendar

  • June
  • Tue
    18
  • Wed
    19
  • Thu
    20
  • Fri
    21
  • Sat
    22
  • Sun
    23
  • Mon
    24
Phoenix Event Tickets
©2013 Phoenix New Times, LLC, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Phoenix

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city