(Revolution by Popular Demand)
Once upon a time there was a band called Vinyl. Unbeknownst to it, another band had already called dibs on that name. So they changed the name to Sevens. Oops, that was taken too, and they had to change it again. After a few months of hemming and hawing, this trademark troubled band finally settled on eL, and proceeded to cut its debut album, also called eL. These 10 tracks follow the roads constructed by the likes of Bryan Adams (or, hell, Ryan Adams) or even the Replacements; earnest, wistful jangle rock that makes you think about being young and why you never asked that person you had a crush on in high school to prom. “She Loves Me,” is like downing a huge piece of chocolate cake: sweet and filling; “Never Stop (Shuffle)” and “Rollercoaster” make you want to steal your Mom’s car and chain-smoke in a mall parking lot. This CD is a beautiful slideshow of youth, just not necessarily gone wild. — Audra Schroeder
