Elefanté

The long awaited new release from Bulletboys has finally arrived!  Elefanté dropped earlier this month (June 9th) and has already received mixed reviews.  It is no secret I am a huge Bulletboys fan; however, this doesn’t mean I will just hand out a good review.  If anything, I am going to be more critical because my expectations are so high.  Now let’s get started.

Elefanté contains eleven songs and is 41 minutes in length.  Personally, I would have loved to have seen a seven or eight minute song on the album simply because I love longer songs.  But the guys made up for it by including an instrumental, which is the title track “Elefanté” (song 11).  I did see where someone else referred to the song as an “outro”, I guess since it is only 1:47 long, but apparently they neglected to listen to it before jumping to that conclusion.  Despite its length, it packs quite the punch.  The word “Elefanté” translated from Spanish to English means “elephant”.  Elephants are huge, strong, and move at their own pace.  If you have ever seen one up close, you already know you can’t make it do anything it doesn’t want to do and you definitely can’t walk up to one and push it over.  I think the title makes a bold statement for the song, the album, and the band itself.

​Moving backwards for a moment, “Bitch Is Back” (song 10) is a cover that was originally written and released by Sir Elton John (1974).  Not surprisingly, the band did an amazing job remaking this.  As a matter of fact, I have yet to come across any song Bulletboys covered where they didn’t rock the hell out of it.  Not to mention, I don’t think there is one person in the music industry who wants to disappoint Sir Elton John.  The man is an icon and I’m sure he is proud of this job well done. 

​The Cleopatra Records official website describes how the entire band poured, “… their heart and soul into the group’s first album of original material since 2009…”  After I listened to the album the first time, that statement was clearly evident.  Right off the bat “Rollover” knocks it out of the park.  Nick and Marq feed off each other on guitars making for a high energy song all around, so the album is off to an excellent start.  The same goes for "Saving You from Me" (song 6), “Superhuman Girl” (song 8), and “Drop Your Weapon” (song 9) - three kick ass rock songs that you won’t be able to get out of your head, and probably won't want to.

The longest song on the album at 4:34 is “As Dumb As” (song 7).  Although this song rocks as hard as the rest, I’ll describe it as more laid back (if that makes any sense).  Lead and backing vocals are superb.  I really like the guitars throughout the song and Shawn is on point with drums as always.  I get the same laid back vibe from “Symphony” (song 3).  Marq displays his vocal abilities exceptionally well in this track.  Speaking of exceptional vocals, “Tsunami” (song 2) has a unique ending:  the final 40 seconds of the song has Marq singing technically A cappella, but in a way not since the voice is also an instrument.  In addition to singing the lyrics, he is also scat singing.  It isn’t often you hear this in a rock song, but it sounds amazing!

​Chad and Shawn shine in “The Villain” (song 4).  I love a strong bass line and Chad certainly delivers.  Coupled with Shawn, who never disappoints, they bring the song to a whole different level.  There is one track left to discuss, and that is the bluesy “Kin Folk” (song 5).  I’m really digging everything about it.  Marq is such a strong vocalist that sometimes it can be easy to forget he is also lead guitarist; however, not this time.  Nick’s playing style stands out a little more on this particular song, and Chad helps set the tone with another strong bass line.  The background vocals bring the song home for me, adding to the blues vibe.

 So is Elefanté “Anna’s iPod Approved”?  You damn right it is.  You may notice I didn’t choose a favorite song, probably because I loved them all.  Outstanding job by Bulletboys; this album has been a long time coming!  Get your copy at any of the links below. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/elefante/id993908387
http://cleorecs.com/store/shop/bulletboys-elefante-cd 
http://www.amazon.com/Elefant%C3%A9-Bulletboys/dp/B00W4L0LU2