THE ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE

THE ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE
HOLES IN THE WALL (2001)
320 KBPS

The idea of two English late-teenage brothers in a band together may conjure up thoughts of Oasis via Silverchair, but Holes in the Wall, Alex and Tom White's debut album as the Electric Soft Parade, is a surprisingly assured album. Like Oasis and Silverchair, the Electric Soft Parade proudly wear their musical influences on their sleeves, as Holes in the Wall reveals intimations of bands like Ash, Grandaddy, and Teenage Fanclub. While Holes in the Wall veers more toward indie and psychedelic rock as opposed to the more straightforward power pop of contemporaries Weezer and Sloan, one of the album's greatest virtues is its memorable melodies, as exemplified in the catchy choruses of songs like "Empty at the End" and "Silent to the Dark." The White brothers also have ear-catching production on their side, giving their album true flavor by infusing it with splashes of electronics and keyboards, psychedelic swirl, and the occasional irregular time signature. The ESP have certainly proved that they can rock.

1. Start Again
2. Empty at the End
3. There's a Silence
4. Something's Got to Give
5. It's Wasting Me Away
6. Silent to the Dark
7. Sleep Alone
8. This Given Line
9. Why Do You Try So Hard to Hate Me
10. Holes in the Wall
11. Biting the Soles of My Feet
12. Red Balloon for Me