Elected taps into its Cali roots

By John Hendel

Published Feb. 10, 2006

California's West Coast lifestyle drives The Elected frontman Blake Sennett. As a child star, he appeared on shows such as "Salute Your Shorts" and "Boy Meets World." Sennett and fellow former child star Jenny Lewis formed the band Rilo Kiley in the late nineties.

Sennett's own band, The Elected, offers Sennett the chance to shine, which becomes quite clear after listening to the band's sophomore album Sun, Sun, Sun. In the album, Sennett lazily evokes images of a thoughtful West Coast past, and the album's heart beats with his memories of home. The Elected's melodies match up to nostalgic lyrics.

"Sometimes you can't go home/sometimes you're already there," Sennett shouts in "Not Going Home." Later, on "The Bank and Trust," he sings, "It's just that I feel stuck in this American town."

This searching theme dominates the album. The Elected gently embraces its past with frolicking songs about imperfection, desire, regret and growth. Tracks such as "Old Times" and "Fireflies In A Steel Mill" illustrate a burning aspiration to fix mistakes.

Comparisons to Elliott Smith that were present on the band's debut fall short in this second album. Sennett's raspy voice softly ponders his own pain, but Sun, Sun, Sun bounces with bluesy folk melodies. The Elected crafts a genre of California country. The sleepy, easygoing music builds around the symbols of home and the sun, exuding restless enthusiasm.

Understated emotion often hits its target. On "I'll Be Your Man," the lyrics "You've got to learn to lie to make everyone happy/and you're going to have to cry to make it on your own" echo with weary sorrow. The same is true in "Desiree" when Sennett sings, "Don't you know you're a good girl/won't you please act that way?"

But, The Elected can get out of hand at times. Sennett overacts his emotions to ridiculous extents in "Did Me Good." "Well, baby, I been thinkin' all about you!" he achingly cries.

"Biggest Star" also feels excessive, clocking in at more than seven minutes. Both tracks embody emotions that feel false and forced. Luckily, those indulgent moments are rare.

The album pulses with creativity. The first and last tracks — "Clouds Parting (8:14 A.M.)" and "At Home (Time Unknown)" — hold the record together well. Although both are less than a minute, they echo West Coast warmth, with birds chirping in the background, and proclaim the power of song.

Listening to a few of the album's better tracks supports those sentiments. "Not Going Home" is a stand-out hit. The guitars wake up, as does Sennett, as he bursts into the angst-ridden chorus with force. Innocent tones and catchy music propel the serious lyrics of "Fireflies In A Steel Mill." Bird chirping continues as Sennett cheerfully evokes a hunting trip in "Would You Come With Me."

With The Elected, Sennett seizes the chance to step out of the shadow of Rilo Kiley. Without a doubt, Sun, Sun, Sun's strong points outweigh its weak. A blend of intelligent motifs and fun make this an undoubtedly heartfelt album.