Former Five o’ Clock Heroes front man A.J. Ellis has ventured out on his own to present ‘Bury the Devil,’ and while his former project garnered plaudits for their ‘feisty punk power pop’, the 11 tracks on here show Ellis exploring more refined terrain. More contemplative, reflective and restrained-sounding it may be, but nevertheless demonstrates flashes of brilliant pop poise.
Single cut ‘Stand Up’ combines old-school punk with rock ‘n’ roll and comes on like The Ramones, although more often than not, though, Ellis conjures the vintage indie sound of The Smiths, at least musically. Lyrically, Ellis clings to themes of heartbreak of nostalgia and works them into tidy little nuggets of bittersweetness.
Elsewhere, hints of Richard Hawley and Elvis Costello are in evidence, and as a package, it’s a rounded and mature set.
|
|
