Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Elliot independently released his debut album in May and is getting great reviews from the Americana community. Here's his myspace: www.myspace.com/elliotrandall. Early on he was picked up by San Francisco's major AAA station KFOG as a "Local Scene" artist and they played one of his songs throughout this summer and included it on their 4th annual compilation cd. He was also invited by ASCAP to showcase two of his songs (live) at their annual expo in May.This is a recent review of Elliot's new record by Twang Nation:
For the Steely Dan fans amongst you hoping that their ex guitar player has released another solo album, you're going to be disappointed. This is not 'that' Randall (he spells his name with two 't's) and it sounds nothing like Steely Dan. And this is a good thing. Oh yes.
This Elliot Randall is 24, lives in San Francisco and is a regular on KFOG 104.5, the Bay Area's premier rock station. 'How To Get Old', the opener on 'Take The Fall' is also featured on their 'Local Scene 4' compilation cd.
From the off, this album grabs you and doesn't let go. It's powerful, melodic, sublime and utterly delicious - all at the same time. Randall can make you soar, contemplate and pull at your heartstrings - all at the same time.
Randall has been compared to Thad Cockrell and Ryan Adams, but easy tiger (see what I did there?) those comparisons will be hard to uphold. However it has to be said this is an extremely accomplished album for a debut. Having released an EP in 2006 ('Grace') this is Randall's first attempt at a full album and it manages to interweave roots rock and country in a classic Americana style. Not many albums can make such good use of lap steel and Rhodes keyboards that sound like a mellotron (though I don't think it is) without straying into twee mainstream country circa the 70's.
Now living in California, Randall is originally from Charleston, South Carolina and he was invited by ASCAP to showcase two of his songs at their annual ''I Create Music'' expo before he released 'Take The Fall'. Seems to have helped as he's now causing something of a stir on the West Coast and this album will bring him to the attention of a wider audience.
The lyrics on this album defy his tender years. He seems to have done it all and has the required levels of angst and hurt that far older songwriters take years to experience. 'We Don't Talk Like We Used To' speaks for itself - it doesn't need any further explaining so I won't provide any. 'Elephant' tells the tale of a girl who seems to have re-invented herself to the obvious pleasure of the narrator and it meanders along in a lovely atmospheric way. 'Everything Reminds Me of You' is also pretty explanatory and something this writer can identify with. Randall doesn't hide his light under a bushel that's for sure.
'Second Time Around' compares one partner with another and demonstrates his attraction to girl two as they remind him of girl one "you look pretty in your green dress". Not sure that this is the best tactic but hey, we've all been there. This track also shows off Randall's virtuosity on lead guitar as it cuts cleanly through the song. I could listen to it for a further ten minutes and still not hear enough.
It's all here; up tempo, slow & moody, solo, full on band sound, melodies, maudlin lyrics, shades of light and dark, and tales of girls and the effect they have on us boys. Not unlike Ryan Adams then - oops, sorry.
This album is going to be on heavy rotation on my radio show in the months ahead. You read it here first. Now go out and hear it.
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myspace.com/elliotrandall |
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elliotrandall.com |
