Artist bio

Justine Frischmann, original drummer for an embryonic version of Suede, started this group in the early '90s with a penchant for covering Wire and a good sense of how to take that group's abrasive, angular punk and give it a more sexy, poppy sheen. The result: self-titled debut became the fastest-selling debut album in U.K. history. Congratulations.

The group unfortunately took six years to follow up that album, and when the second disc finally did come, it was with a completely new group of musicians built around Frischmann. And it wasn't as good.

Elastica will never go down as one of the more creative groups to fly up the U.K. pop charts. But they do have a style, an elan, that imbued their music with a unique feel. Those who like Saturday night music, britpop, or Wire, will find joy in listening to their debut. That is all.

Albums by this artist

6-Song EP (1999)

Elastica (Recommended) (1995)

Elastica

Elastica

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» TROY CARPENTER | CO-DIRECTOR

NATN Recommended Elastica Elastica Geffen, 1995 RiYL: Wire, Blondie, Blur, Supergrass

Elastica took a lot of crap critically for their eponymous debut, seeing as how they appropriated melodies from Wire here and the Stranglers there (and ended up having to settle out of court with both bands' lawyers before the release of Elastica). But the album perseveres, and proudly stands out among '90s britpop for its sexy, punkish feel and consistent catchiness.

It's taken the band five years and counting to come up with a sequel, but somehow Elastica has stood the test of the time while we wait. The album's 16 tracks each display a compelling mixture of detached sexuality and brash rock power, with enough hooks to reel in the strongest doubters.

The songs fly past like those on Supergrass' I Should Coco, in a flurry of guitars, pounding bass melody and sputtering drums. But frontwoman Justine Frischmann's vocals remain tangible and melodic, high in the mix. Sure, you'll hear a familiar new wave hook or two as the album progresses, and the coy posturing of Debbie Harry and Chrissy Hynde manifest in Frischmann's crooning, but the music is no more derivative than the Chuck Berry in early Rolling Stones tunes and certainly no more so than the ultraobvious snitching of contemporaries Oasis.

The four-piece is extremely tight, Annie Holland's bass courageously thumping along as Frischmann and vocalist/guitarist Donna Matthews alternately groove on fuzzed-out pop chord progressions and chopped, angular guitar licks. Drummer Justin Welch ensures the rhythm never quits, as Matthews and Frischmann drop cooing backup vocals into any free space. Even Blur's Damon Albarn, Frischmann's longtime boyfriend (now ex-) drops in with keyboards on a few songs.

Sex and going out on the town are the subject matter of choice on Elastica. "Line Up" slags groupies and "Car Song" relates the merits of sex in cars, Frischmann confessing "every shining bonnet / makes me think of my back on it." The two-punch "All Nighter" and "Waking Up" musically describe a spastic journey through a city-bound night and its denouement.

"Blue" helps hold the album together at its center, an ethereal intro slowing things down before tossing the listener back into punkish revelry, with one of the record's smartest hooks.

It all adds up to a gratifying listen, combining the best parts of new wave and punk with a decidedly modern slant. Whatever becomes of the band, and whether they ever release another record, we'll always have Elastica to treasure and sing along to.

TROY CARPENTER | Troy Carpenter founded NATN from a Chicago apartment during the ambitious winter of 1998 with co-conspirators Ben French and Jonathan Cohen. After a five-year stint in New York, he and wife Lourdes have recently relocated to Indianapolis, where he spends days listening to music and nights in the kitchen at Elements restaurant. Musical heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Super Furry Animals. What else makes life worth living: Sushi, Phucty, runs in the park, and the Atlanta Braves.