Elle Milano - Meanwhile In Hollywood (Brighton Electric)
UK release date: 31 March 2008
Sounding really promising up until the guy starts rapping, Elle Milano are at least refreshing in not sounding like another of the same turgid indie band churning out likeable guitar songs - or if they're feeling adventurous, throwing in a bit of piano.
The opening of Meanwhile In Hollywood sounds like a more rhythm-conscious Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, sweeping quickly into a kind of peculiar grandeur that sounds like Easyworld trying to be Arcade Fire.
The swathing synths fill a gap that really ought to be filled by a massive string section, and big production could probably make this song sound pretty spectacular at moments. They've done a reasonable job of beefing up the chorus, but it still sounds like a scrappy version of something that ought to be absolutely breathtaking.
Whichever way you look at it, though, something still really needs to be done about the rapping. Did Robbie Williams' Rudebox teach us nothing?
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