Review – Horrible Crowes “Elsie”

Horrible Crowes – Elsie Vinyl LP -My biggest complaint about The Horrible Crowes’ debut, Elsie, is that upon first listen it doesn’t sound like too much of a departure from The Gaslight Anthem, as the project is also fronted by Brian Fallon and Gaslight guitar tech Ian Perkins. But that’s not much of a complaint, and it also sells the album short a bit, as the subtle differences are what make Elsie all-the-more special.

Elsie is still pulling from the depths of soul music – most notably in the hauntingly beautiful guitar work of “Mary Ann,” the ninth cut of the album – and it is evident right from the start with a short tune called “Last Rites.” Over the eerie tones of piano, Fallon sings:

“Start up the car/bury your memories/Call on your lover, speaking slow and heavy/Call up your boyfriends, from out by the ocean/While I get my last rites read by a thief…”

It’s a strange start for the album, calling for someone’s last rites before we’re even underway. Fallon and Perkins mix it up throughout the album, though, and the “whoa oh oh”s of “Behold the Hurricane” don’t sound like much of a departure from The Gaslight Anthem. But whereas Gaslight seems to often be reflecting somewhat fondly on the past, The Horrible Crowes are delving into darker memories. Both have an equally timeless appeal.

Elsie shows Fallon at the top of his songwriting game, and it’s a good “side project” in that it’s close enough in sound to draw Gaslight fans, but enough of a departure that it feels like we’re listening to something different (if not drastically so). It feels like a true album and still sees Fallon harnessing Springsteen-esque rock styles with a new flair that makes Elsie feel both classic and fresh all at once. For anyone who loves Fallon’s songwriting, it’s more than worth a spin.

The vinyl itself is black, with the printing in the center featuring a tinge of brown and simple design for a very classic feel. The sound is fantastic, and the rest of the package fits the design, predominantly black and gray with those tinges of brown and white. The lettering on the front does a particularly awesome job of standing out, with a spot UV gloss making the letters ring out from the otherwise matte-finished artwork. It’s a beautiful package to complement a beautiful, soulful album.

Buy Horrible Crowes – Elsie Vinyl LP

Review by: Bill Jones

Sound/Pressing Quality: 5/5
The Album: 4/5
Artwork/Packaging: 5/5