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

6-Song EP

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» TROY CARPENTER | CO-DIRECTOR

Elastica 6-Song EP Deceptive, 1999 RiYL: The Fall, Wire, The Human League

This smallish EP (total running time: 16:29) is the first Elastica release in four years, and it serves its purpose well as a teasing hors d'oeuvre for the band'slong-awaited second full-length.

The EP feels a bit like Elastica's cleaning out their attic, trying to leverage some of the pressure that usually accompanies a long-awaited album. The assorted odds and ends provide mild entertainment and let listeners know that the renovated (three new members) band's sound isn't going to be a radical departure from its past work.

Included are two punkish rave-ups featuring Mark E. Smith from the Fall -- including "How He Wrote Elastica Man," which is a dandy little anthem, with Smith and frontwoman Justine Frischmann yelling-spelling E.L.A.S.T.I.C.A. over a grungy rhythm -- a couple primitive home demos, including one by departed guitarist Donna Matthews, a live song ("Operate") that sounds like an outtake from Elastica, and a nice pop tune that could also have fit snugly on that debut.

The moral is that Elastica haven't changed much in five years. They never were incredibly original, just endearing and full of hooks. This EP serves its purpose well as a clearing house of random material, but it didn't really excite anyone for the subsequent release of The Menace.

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.