“The double-neck guitar is the ultimate signifier of musical masturbation and phallocentric crotch rocking. That is, unless you’re El Ten Eleven, the post-rock duo from Los Angeles, who lay down simple rhythms, then wield the finished product as mechanized dance jams.”
“[El Ten Eleven's] third record, These Promises Are Being Videotaped, is packed full of danceable melodies that put Ratatat to shame.”
“Once the record stops, you want more, and more, and more.”
“DFA 1979 and Ratatat are obvious antecedents, but these guys place a great emphasis on layering and manipulating loops on top of a consistently bodyrocking beat.”
“Winning the prize for the most technically impressive band I’ve seen this year was L.A.’s El Ten Eleven. Dunn was often playing guitar and bass simultaneously on his double-necked guitar while his foot moved in a blur across effects and looping pedals. The coordination and precision was breathtaking without straying into gimmickry.”
A sort of Silverlake-style Sigur Ros, the L.A. [El Ten Eleven] makes instrumental music that's both highly skilled and deeply felt... the duo's compositions take on an incredible musical and emotional complexity.
There is something to be said for the ability to change. With only two members -- a guitar/bassist and drummer -- el ten eleven can be whatever they want to be. They could go the usual routes of blues duo that plays arenas, or hardcore duo that plays the smell. Or they could make a song that wouldn't sound out of place on the next Kitsune Maison comp. It's obvious that Kristian and Tim have spent some time with the Ed Banger catalog, and their other band (the soft lightes) being on Modular doesn't hurt either.
And you pack those influences into the already amazing sound and it just smashes through expectations. Kristian finds some absolutely sick dance riffs on this one -- parts that would normally go to a synth and sound flat or tired sound explosive when played on live guitar here. Tim's added some new sounds to his electronic kit but still pounds the fuck out of his snare and throws in some cowbell to call you out to the dancefloor.
They tell me to expect more songs in this direction on the new album they're working on, and I more than approve. These dudes just keep getting better and better.
So who wants to press this to 12" and commission some remixes?
you can pick up their previous, highly recommended releases direct from the band here.
The Soft Lightes - Heart Made of Sound ep. Deliciously dreamy West Coast indie. Like chilling-out with Camper Van Beethoven and the Byrds on a warm summer's day.
[El Ten Eleven] audience members (like myself) stare in amazement at the fury of Kristian’s fingers and feet, and it makes the Polyphonic Spree seem like member-hoarding pussies.
[El Ten Eleven] audiences are stunned and amazed that only two musicians can perfectly replicate the textures, nuances and fullness of their studio release.