I’ve heard a few tracks from Pretty Girls Make Graves over the years, but was always turned off by Andrea Zollo’s riot grrrl shrieks. So, upon listening to Élan Vital, my first thought was: “Damn. I’ve been missing out.” Fortunately for me, though, it turns out that PGMG have taken quite a departure from their old ways, and there hasn’t been much to miss. Guitarist Nathan Thelen quit after their tour for their last record, The New Romance, and they added
multi-instrumentalist Leona Marrs, who has them writing songs in a much different way. Élan Vital features songs with double drums, accordion, saxophone, melodica and no guitar. Though PGMG’s trademark experimental, freestyle post-punk approach is at the crux of their sound, this time around the music is faster, propelled along by more interesting arrangements. Each track goes down a different and unexpected path, and the vocals simmer seductively instead of boiling all over and making a big, icky mess.
multi-instrumentalist Leona Marrs, who has them writing songs in a much different way. Élan Vital features songs with double drums, accordion, saxophone, melodica and no guitar. Though PGMG’s trademark experimental, freestyle post-punk approach is at the crux of their sound, this time around the music is faster, propelled along by more interesting arrangements. Each track goes down a different and unexpected path, and the vocals simmer seductively instead of boiling all over and making a big, icky mess.
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