The amicable departure of bassist Bryan Helium seems to have invigorated
Elf Power, judging from the economical but intense performances throughout
Creatures. While adhering to the low-fi aesthetic of the Elephant 6 collective from which they came, the band spans the gap from neo-psychedelic to cosmic folk-rock, in essence claiming as home base the niche established by
Neil Young shortly after his flight from
Buffalo Springfield.
Creatures is a concept effort, built along a story line that teems with slimy creatures emerging from bogs or slithering in sewers just beneath our feet; a single "creature" recurs now and then, invested with an elusive but undeniable metaphorical significance. Andrew Rieger's toneless, mumbling, and often out-of-tune singing bathes his lyrics in a pale white light; the contrast between deadpan delivery and epic imagery keeps the performance on a steady and rewarding interpretive course. With minimal resources,
the Elves construct compelling arrangements, from a vast aquatic swell and roll throughout "Visions of the Sea" to the trippy pictures tumbled over a stoner drone on "Three Seeds." The center of the music is simple: acoustic guitars and big, dry drums, sweetened with a keyboard, a cello, or something equally fanciful. Yet the band's vision stretches beyond instrumentation and deep into the heart of Rieger's artistry. This balance of elements, along with
Elf Power's ragged but insistent groove, make
Creatures a study of harmonious contradiction and unlikely balance. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk