Faves of 2023: Elephants and Starts – Get Your Own Army

Why do some bands mean something to us? What is it about the sounds, the instruments, the lyrics… the whole of the sum of parts that resonate and make us care?

The appreciation of music is a complex and multifaceted experience that varies from person to person. There are several reasons why people care about certain music. Music has the power to evoke strong emotions and connect with people on a deep, personal level. Certain songs or genres may resonate with individuals based on their life experiences, memories, or current emotional states.

Elephants and Stars, the Canadian band led by singer and guitarist Manfred Stittmann and bassist Mike MacMillan, is a muscular blend of musical prowess and lyrical brilliance that captivates all who hear their songs. For us at YTAA, Elephants and Stars are a perfect band. Their sound transcends rock and roll boundaries, imagine fusing indie rock with catchy pop elements, creating an atmosphere that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. All too often today bands run screaming from power chords, danceable bass lines and crisp, solid drumming as if creating hooks in songs was wrong and to be avoided.

However, being limited is not a problem for Elephants and Stars! From album to album through the band’s impressive discography that was created in a few short years: “Recovery” (2020), “Dreamland” (2021), “Last Chance Power Drive” (2022) and “Get Your Own Army” (2023) — the band only becomes better and stronger at creating incredible melodies, passionate guitar driven tones, and powerful vocals that carry a sense of surreal and absurd on topics that matter such as relationships that fail no matter how much effort we extend in order to try and save them (“Bled Out At The Scene”) and the over powering sense of loneliness that accompanies being surrounded by distant, non-caring others (“Lost in New York City” and “Green Light to Pasadena”). As R.E.M. noted we are all “alone in a crowd, in the crowded barroom.”

One of the band’s standout qualities is their ability to craft melodies that linger in your mind long after the music stops. Each song feels like an intimate journey, a maze of personal introspection because their lyrics feel torn from our secret personal diaries, weaving through intricate layers of instrumentation while maintaining a sense of raw authenticity within a powered rock and roll framework. Stittmann’s hauntingly emotive voice adds depth and sincerity to the already evocative lyrics, drawing listeners into a world of introspection and contemplation all the while the music feels as if it is veering into the pathway of a runaway train; and that ride is thrilling all along the way. Going off the rails never felt so real and so good.

What truly sets Elephants and Stars apart from so many bands is their knack for personal storytelling through music. Their songs often explore themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, resonating with audiences on a deeply personal level — see our previous full review of their fantastic Get Your Own Army. Whether it’s an upbeat anthem or an emotional yet scratchy heartfelt voice, the band infuses every track on “Get Your Own Army” with an undeniable sincerity that tugs at the heartstrings and reminds us that we may be flawed but we are still worthy of care and concern.

Their live performances are nothing short of mesmerizing. The band’s chemistry on stage is palpable, creating an electric atmosphere that leaves the audience spellbound. Each member’s talent shines through, delivering a performance that is both technically impressive and emotionally stirring.

Overall, Elephants and Stars is a band that possesses the rare ability to transport listeners to another realm with their music. “Get Your Own Army” is a passionate continuation of the band’s efforts to make rock and roll songs that matter, that mean something. Their songs have a resonating personal and timeless quality that makes them instantly relatable yet endlessly captivating within a classic rock and roll approach. With their distinctive sound and genuine artistry, Elephants and Stars have undoubtedly secured a place among the most promising rock and roll bands today. For all of these reasons and more, this music spoke to us at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative and is one of our favorite releases of 2023.

Rock and Roll Lives!

September 22, 2023September 22, 2023 your tuesday afternoon alternative New Music Bled Out at the Scene, Canadian Rock and Roll, Dreamland, Elephants and Stars, Get Your Own Army, Gimme Ketamine, Last Chance Power Drive, New Music, Recovery, Rock and Roll Lives, Rock Music

Elephants and Stars have put out an impressive array of albums in a few short years — Recovery (2020), Dreamland (2021), Last Chance Power Drive (2022) and Get Your Own Army (2023) — and have already made a meaningful impact to rock and roll with their incredible body of work. This Toronto-based band is like a supernova in the making, bursting onto the scene with a sound that’s as expansive and enthralling as the night sky. Elephants And Stars is the third project formed around the long-running creative partnership of Manfred Stittmann and bassist Mike MacMillan, both of whom also formed the core of the late-90s/early-2000s groups Soap Opera and The First Time. The band has consistently delivered well-crafted songs with catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics.

In the tradition of the great melodic rock and roll and New Wave bands of the ’70s and ’80s, Elephants and Stars takes us on a voyage of emotional release through their latest ‘Get Your Own Army‘. Their sonic palette is a rich tapestry woven with elements of rock, new wave, power pop, psychedelia, and folk, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary, a task that is hard to do in an authentic way. From the opening chords to the final fade-out, this album is a rollercoaster ride of musical nostalgia and contemporary innovation that illustrates that a music group can be versatile while delving into various musical styles. The band’s name itself suggests a blend of the colossal and the celestial, and their music lives up to this cosmic promise in perfect melodies that sway around deep storytelling and powerful lyrics.

The album kicks off with a thunderous guitar riff that immediately grabs your attention, setting the tone for what’s to come. “Gimme Ketamine,” is a true rock and roll track that grabs the listener and refuses to let go. Lead vocalist Stittman’s voice is a force of nature, akin to the gravitational pull of a black hole, drawing listeners into the band’s orbit. The instrumentation, featuring muscular guitar work, bouncing rhythms, and Cars-like synths, provides the perfect sonic backdrop for the band’s passions.

Throughout the album, the musicianship is outstanding. The guitars shred through parts large and small. The solos are played with precision and passion, while the rhythm section provides a solid foundation that keeps the songs grounded. One of the standout tracks is “Green Lights to Pasadena,” a sprawling epic that stretches the boundaries of the rock road song. It is a reflection on travel, perhaps personal, that takes the listener on a sonic adventure through landscapes of longing for effort and feeling lost: “We try until we don’t / Just die a little more.” The band’s musicianship shines here, with each member contributing to a propulsive and immersive sonic gestalt, everything mixed together with just a pinch of chaos. And you may find yourself swaying despite your resistance.

While Elephants and Stars draws inspiration from the past, they infuse their music with a modern sensibility and directness that keeps it from feeling like a mere nostalgia trip. Tracks like “Bled Out at the Scene” and “How Can It Be?” blend vintage influences with contemporary production techniques, creating a sound that’s both timeless, cutting-edge and so damn catchy. How often do we want to sing along to the slow realization of the death of a relationship?

“Get Your Own Army” is not just an album; it’s a sonic voyage through the heart of relationships viewed through a rock and roll lens. Elephants and Stars have crafted another fantastic record that showcases their immense talent and promises even greater rock and roll adventures in the future even while singing about the end, “On Your Deathbed (I wonder what you’ll think about).” With their captivating sound and down-to-earth vision, this Canadian band is poised to shine brightly in the ever-expanding universe of rock music with the simple realization that rock music lives.

Matt Derda Best of 2022

January 3, 2023January 3, 2023 your tuesday afternoon alternative Best Of Bottlecap Mountain, Brother Cloud, Eddie Vedder, Elephants and Stars, Heartbreak Kid, Last Chance Power Drive, Matt Moran, Tin Can Belief, Turn It All Around

One of our favorite discoveries of the past few years was Matt Derda & The High Watts! They released a stellar record in 2022 and so we thought what better way to celebrate an amazing year in music than to ask Matt to write about a few of his favorite releases from this past trip around the sun, and to our joy he agreed!

Thank you, Matt!

2022 was definitely the year of independent music for me. Most of the music I listened to this year was by bands that aren’t signed to a label or receiving tons of press, although they should be. As you’ll see from this list, I think they are just as good as one of the all-time greats, who also released a new, unexpected album this year.

Matt Moran – Heartache Kid

‘Matt Moran’s Heartache Kid is what Country music is supposed to sound like. I grew up listening to Country music in the 90s and it wasn’t until the late 90s/early 2000s that mainstream country music turned south (pun intended). Until then, there were a lot of gems regularly on the radio, but occasionally they would play Travis Tritt and you’d resist the urge to jump out of the car, into traffic on the highway. Heartache Kid is reminiscent of ’90s Country music and there is not a bad track on it. I warn you if you listen to this record, songs like Palomino, Heartache Kid, and Black Sedan will be stuck in your head for weeks. But it’ll be okay because you’ll love them.

Favorite song: Palomino

Bottlecap Mountain – Fib Factory

One of my favorite discoveries on social media is the Austin, TX-based band Bottlecamp Mountain. I discovered them via Twitter and we’ve since become friends. Their songs are prolifically melody, with a little bit of grit and just enough twang. It’s perfect. Their songs are catchy and sound big. They fill up the space and make you emotionally connected to the songs. The lead single from this album, “Kool,” is a song I wish I had written. It’s a fun banger that is all about what you deemed dope back in your younger days. I’ve put the song “Tin Can Belief” on many playlists. It’s got a jangly rock vibe that combines R.E.M., Big Star, The Replacements, Soul Asylum, and the Gin Blossoms. If you are a fan of 80s/90s indie rock, you’ll want to spin this record.

Favorite Song: Tin Can Belief

Elephants and Stars – Last Chance Power Drive

Now I’ll change things up with a band that is straight-up rock n roll. Elephants and Stars are based in Toronto, Canada. I don’t know what to say about them other than they are perfect. They’ve quickly become one of my favorite bands. They know how to write a chorus and I’m a sucker for a great chorus. Each song is an anthem that you picture a giant audience singing along to. I got a preview of this record before it came out and I’ll tell you what I told them, it’s everything I wanted from an E&S record. Have you ever heard a song you loved by an artist and you bought the album hoping all of the songs would sound like that only to be disappointed? Last Chance Power Drive will not disappoint. It’s all songs that are what you want to hear. To me, that is a perfect record. Also, I should note there is an amazing cover of the song “I Really Want to See You Tonight” on this album. The original song is not my jam at all. However, Elephants and Stars kick it into overdrive. Actually, power drive is the perfect term to describe not only this album but Elephants and Stars music overall.

Favorite song: Turn It All Around

Eddie Vedder – Earthling

In 1993 I received a scholastic book magazine at school. One of the items was a VHS tape of music videos set to highlight clips of NBA players. Being a huge basketball fan, I somehow talked my parents into ordering a non-book from Scholastic. One of the videos on the VHS was clips of Seattle Supersonic Shawn Kemp dunking to Pearl Jam’s song Go. I was hooked. As I grew up, Pearl Jam, and especially the lyrics of Eddie Vedder played a huge role in my life and helped me get through those terrible teenage angsty years. Now, he’s helped me get through a global pandemic.

This year Eddie Vedder released the unanticipated Earthling, partnering closely with Andrew Watt. The story behind the album is that it wasn’t really planned, they just started making it and it came together pretty fast. You can tell by the songs that Vedder had things in him that just needed to get out.

One of the critiques I’ve heard of the album is that a lot of the songs sound like other artists. Once you know the stories behind those songs, it makes a lot of sense. The Long Way sounds like it was a Tom Petty cover. In fact, Benmont Tench plays on the song and they got his organ out of the Heartbreakers clubhouse for the first time since Tom’s death for this song. Ms. Mills sounds like it could be on Sgt. Pepper. The song is about a piano at Abbey Road Studios that has been named Ms. Mills. Oh, and Ringo Starr played drums on that song.

Another standout is the song Brother Cloud, which is about dealing with the loss of a loved one. It starts off light, but quickly ascends into the stratosphere and closes with an epic fuck you to whoever left him on this earth. The album is great. I highly recommend giving it a listen.

Favorite song: Brother the Cloud