Pitch Perfect
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Elio Mardini - Bad Things and Cherryhill Lane

12/13/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
Elio Mardini

Bad Things and Cherryhill Lane 
self-released; 2013

4.2 out of 5

By Sean Dennison


Elio Mardini is a Los Angeles-based musician. By the time you read this his debut single song should have debuted on MTV Arabia. The seven songs on his EP Bad Things and Cherryhill Lane were difficult to review. Initially I just wanted to leave the score up instead of a review because brilliance can be hard to put into words even if you recognize it. Mardini seamlessly weaves his influences, from entire genres to single musical groups and infuses them with on-point pop accessibility.

"Cherryhill Lane" is labeled as "Old French folk" and its circular harmonies, accordion bridges and old-timey piano sounds could be (I didn't look it up, I'll be honest). It's a theatrical sounding tune, very deep production, and a great introduction to Mardini's voice – quiet and sultry, low-key but also very candid in delivery. The standout line here is "I can't make love, because my lover is a whore" while a repetition of "can't make love" follows. 

None of the songs on the album sound alike. They're characterized by crisp production, silky, smooth mixing and everything gels well. But in regards to influence? Hah! "Green Light" takes its cue from Edward Sharpe and the much lesser known Fernando with its steady handicapping that suddenly quickens in rhythm. The pattern is prevalent throughout the music and allows Mardini to easily build with a collage of instruments. He even gets the yelp down. But then songs like "Lock Your Lips" emulate the bubbly, synth-heavy pop that prevails over the radio. And Mardini captures it expertly, with a memorable hook and a lullaby of keyboard and samples.

Whatever Mardini is doing, he does it well. Each song is executed with confidence and the overall experience is, for me, acute satisfaction. Other affecting moments include the very close piano key changes on "Seven Times" and the music box-sounding melody that opens "Let It Burn," (my favorite song on the album), a thick anthem about self-respect, or self-destruction, or both. But moments like these don't just dot the album, they fully populate it. Mardini has a vision, a multi-faceted one, but Bad Things and Cherryhill Lane allows you a glimpse into this man's pristine pop world.
Become A Fan
bandcamp
2 Comments
Taylor
12/15/2013 04:31:25 am

Sounds good, will check it out

Reply
Wiss
12/15/2013 06:04:09 am

This guy is huge, I am a big fan :)

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by pitchperfect158
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
© Pitch Perfect 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact