speed of dark

I had been awaiting the arrival of Earlimart's fifth album Mentor Tormentor since 2004's Treble and Tremble. It probably seemed like an even longer time for Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray, the only original band members remaining since Earlimart formed in the late 90's. The band had lost a friend and mentor in the death of Elliott Smith (Treble and Tremble was dedicated to Smith), lost their label not long after that album's release, and then for a long time Espinoza felt no inspiration to write songs. The theme of the album comes from the struggle to overcome those issues and keep the band from dissolving. There are frequent references to lying, deception, and "words unsung" ("Fakey Fake").

While I don't hear Earlimart making any big changes in their sound, I do hear an increasing consistency and cohesiveness which began in Treble and Tremble and has advanced to the point with Mentor Tormentor where there are no throw-away songs. Since there are 15 tracks, that's a big statement.

Earlimart's trademark is a very subtle touch. Aaron Espinoza seems to whisper his lyrics, like intimate secrets, into your ears, with Ariana's harmonies providing fullness and emphasis. On this album, she takes over on two songs to excellent effect. A myriad of musical friends sit in for the rest of the unfilled band positions. Words are simple and rarely profound, sometimes a bit too spare ("The Little Things," which is saved by a gorgeous melody), but on several songs, Earlimart do bring the lyrics into clear focus against their always breathtaking melodies.

The tracks follow an ebb and flow pattern, like the coming and going of friendships, relationships, and the ups and down of life. Although each deserves its own comments, for brevity I'll just hit a few of them.

"Answers and Questions" - A favorite since I first heard it as a single release last year, the signs of a relationship--or the band--slipping away:
"I know the answers, I know the questions -
If this is nowhere now it shows.
I'm wide awake I'm watching you
All night long, tell me what to do.
I'm wide awake I'm watching you
All those lies you told them too."
"I'm wide awake; I'm watchin' you"

Followed by "Nevermind the Phone Calls" --The sweet sound soothes feelings of resignation and maybe a tad of bitter sarcasm: "We'll be fine. Oh, yeah, nevermind, just nevermind."

"Happy Alone" -- Perhaps the most expressive song on the album and one of two sung by Ariana. She could be singing about the acceptance at the end of a relationship, but it's more likely she's questioning whether Earlimart will continue as a group and concluding: "I'd better be happy alone."

You can read the same idea in her other song, "The World" where she clearly feels overwhelmed and shut out:
"Oh, the world is all around us
But have you noticed me?
Yeah, the world has overshadowed me."

"Everybody Knows Everybody" is a standout rocker, far more hard-edged than the rest of the album while still retaining Earlimart's unerring talent for melody and smooth harmony.

"Don't You Ever Think About Me," is infused with sweet sadness and loss; it could be the response or a companion to "Happy Alone."

"Just Because" seems to be about loss of faith. There are few words, and an insistent piano kind of hammers in the theme, but again the lovely, swelling melody saves it from any possible monotony.

The final song, "Cold Cold Heaven" brings the band up to the current happy ending--disaster was averted and a beautiful, successful album was completed. A chorus of friends join in the singalong and clap their approval at the end.

Downloading the album from iTunes provides a bonus track--"Our Dying Days"--a final promise from Aaron that confirms his commitment to the band:
You can count on me
I'll be in your dreams
I'll see everything
That you want from me
You should have no fear
I will always be here...

Indie Mom and I don't always like or listen to the same bands--a good thing. No one can listen to everything, and she likes some things I don't like. But we both agree that Mentor Tormentor is a standout album for 2007, and a breakthrough for Earlimart as well. You'll see it on both of our Best-Of lists for 2007.


From Mentor Tormentor:
Earlimart: Answers and Questions

From Treble and Tremble (2004):
Earlimart: Sounds

MySpace | Website | Band blog
Label: Majordomo Records | Lyrics
Buy at ArtistDirect, iTunes, and eMusic

More about Earlimart on Speed of Dark:
Gramma's Favorites of 2006
An Elegant Evening with Earlimart

Show Schedule:
Sep 16 2007 - Treasure Island Music Festival, San Francisco, CA
Sep 27 2007 - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
Sep 28 2007 - Crocodile Cafe, Seattle, WA
Sep 29 2007 - Pit Pub, vancouver, canada
Oct 2 2007 - 400 Bar, Minneapolis, MN
Oct 3 2007 - Schuba’s, Chicago, IL
Oct 4 2007 - Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH
Oct 5 2007 - El Mocambo, Toronto
Oct 6 2007 - Pop Montreal Music Festival @ Main Hall, Montreal
Oct 7 2007 - Harpers Ferry, Allston, MA
Oct 10 2007 - Knitting Factory, New York City, NY
Oct 11 2007 - Johnny Brendas, Philadelphia, PA
Oct 12 2007 - Ottobar, Baltimore, MD
Oct 13 2007 - Duke Coffehouse, Durham, NC
Oct 14 2007 - The Earl, Atlanta, GA
Oct 15 2007 - Bottletree, Birmingham, AL
Oct 16 2007 - Mink, Houston, TX
Oct 17 2007 - The Mohawk, Austin, TX
Oct 18 2007 - Palladium Loft, Dallas, TX
Oct 20 2007 - Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO
Oct 22 2007 - Paper Heart Venue, Phoenix, AZ
Oct 23 2007 - Casbah, San Diego, CA
Oct 24 2007 - Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA