The Music and Planet Project

Harris Gate by LA-based Elephants of Style is a no frills, Lou Reed-esque quirky rock song. While that description may not sound like the go-to genre for many listeners of the modern day, it does encompass a style of music that appeals to those of us who enjoy a bit of minimalism, tonal subtlety, and musical rawness. 

The track opens with a warm bass guitar and low-end guitar chords that feel a bit foreboding and set the scene for what’s to come. The drums are in the pocket and provide a nice textural smoothness as well as a rhythmic structure to the track. I quite enjoyed the song’s opening, with each of the instruments playing off each others’ energies in subtle ways and coming together to create a dark wash of sound. A minute or so in, a clarinet enters into the scene, adding new harmonies and almost a bit of a klezmer feel to the intro. It is a clever touch that really amplifies the slightly spooky vibe the band have already introduced us to with the other instruments.

Vocals enter around 1:45 and are low register, half-spoken and half-sung, a style that is fitting for the minimalist vibe the band have already cultivated up to this point. By now, there is a definite influence of Lou Reed making itself known more evidently, especially with the vocals. But there is also a tinge of a Nirvana feel in the chord changes. Maybe it’s just the drop D tuning, or maybe this feeling of grunge is in fact a hidden influence for these guys. Whatever it is, there is definitely an interesting blend of influences at play here. 

What I like most here and with other Elephants of Style songs is that nothing is overly dressed up. The instruments and their tonal qualities create intrigue in themselves without a ton of effects added on top. The vocals, the percussion, and the melodic instruments all come together in a way that fits. The guitars meander through interesting and unusual progressions that cater to those of us who delight in the sounds of bands like The Pixies and The Velvet Underground. 

Are you intrigued enough to see what Elephants of Style are all about? Stream the song here and check out the rest of their catalog on Spotify while you’re at it.