This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive.
By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, September 2004
Rating: ★★★★ (4.0/5)
Peter Elkas’ debut record, Party Of One, is simply beautiful. Elkas has spent the better part of the past year making his way through Canada on numerous occasions, touring in support of such acts as Sloan, Joel Plaskett, The Superfriendz and Jet. After releasing six of the album’s ten songs as an EP with the same title, Elkas gained the attention of Maple Music, who are now releasing the full-length version of the album.
Elkas had received accolades from the press and built a solid fan base with his former band, The Local Rabbits. Along with his fellow band members, Elkas explored many styles, from pop (“61 Days”) to blues (“Wintertime Daydream”) to rock (“At Least You Got The Cake”). On Party Of One, Elkas gets a bit more down to earth and soulful. With help from producer Don Kerr (Kyp Harness), the listener is surrounded by a beautiful voice, some lovely melodies, and great lyrics such as “I’d love to jump outside and meet him/(to meet the sun)/So he could carry me to freedom/Curled up inside the warmth he breathes/I’d look down upon the trees.”
“Party Of One,” the opening track of the album, recalls the title track of fellow Murderecords alum Mike O’Neill’s debut album, What Happens Now. Elkas asks, “Will I have to dance and sing alone?”, while O’Neill asked, “What happens now?”; both of them just beginning their careers as solo artists unsure of their path. It appears that Elkas is heading in the right direction with Party Of One.
“Build A Harmony” is pure fun with a great feel. Perhaps it should have opened the album to get the listener going with a little dance. The standout on the album is “Everybody Works.” It’s the agreement with Elkas’ statement, “What more could there be/Than a sunny day off for you and me?” The song connects with the common hatred of a joyless job.
My chief complain with the album has to do with Don Kerr’s production style. The album as a whole sounds distinctly like the style of Ron Sexsmith, whom Kerr has repeatedly worked with. Sexsmith’s style seems a bit odd when another musician is using it, and this is most evident on “Build A Harmony.” After about three listens, I found that I got used to the similarities and could start to appreciate the album for its own style and sound. None of the songs let the listener down, and as a whole the album is great. Elkas seems to have really taken control of this project and created something worth sharing.