Elliot Warren - LiltsDirges

Elliot Warren

LiltsDirges 
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Elliot Warren on his latest album LiltsDirges sings songs to his younger self. As he states on his Bandcamp page he sings about everything from friendship, to regret, to separation and to shame – some of the things that if we had time machines our present selves would talk about with our past selves. 

The songs are diverse and full-spirited. Sometimes the music sounds like something you might hear from Neutral Milk Hotel; another tune sounds like a traditional drinking song; yet he also has a couple of waltzes. The album is all over the place but it works for a number of reasons. The primary being that songs are well written and keep your attention. 

I fell in love with the first song the moment I heard it. It’s got this lackadaisical vibe as if he ingested Xanax and a couple of pints. It’s a drinking song where you could slowly sway back and forth with your closest chaps and take a swig. It’s a bit melancholy for a typical drinking song but in my opinion works just fine. The vibe changes pretty drastically with surf rock inspired “I Guess I'll Figure it Out Once I Get Out on the Road.” Kinetic drums and cascading bass lines create a more energetic atmosphere. The song is on the verge of anthemic and seemed a bit inspired by Guided by Voices on this one.

“What Difference Does it Make?” is a country type waltz that has a walking bass line that kept my attention almost as much as his lyrics while “1 + 1” is a solid acoustic song that made me chuckle at points because of the lyrics. “Just as F'ed Up” was another solid song with great lyrics. He sings “When you were 21 / You didn’t see much sun & now that you’re older / You’re just as fucked up”  - love it!

Elliot Warren and his album are pretty rad. All in all Warren might be playing a variety of styles but he kind of has this awesome punk rock attitude. The album is fun and doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s good stuff.

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