Miss Elm - Idle Away (18/06/2013)
For something packaged into such a simple cardboard sleeve, Miss Elm’s EP Idle Away is anything but simple. If anything, there should be a warning etched across the front, advising listeners of their highly energetic and addictive pop tunes.
Almost as soon as Growing Pains starts, lead singer Erin Harrington, jumps into the high notes of the song. But whether she hits them or not is another matter, as there’s something a little imperfect about the pitch of her first few notes. However, these concerns are soon thrown away when Growing Pains continues, and Harrington’s vocals take on a similar tone and vocal ability to that of Kate Miller-Heidke.
Although lacking a little bit in lyrical substance, Space serves as a great song to sing-a-long to. Similar to something you’d hear from Kate Nash, Harrington has an impressive ability of hitting those higher notes and making you want to try and hit them too.
With a title like Baby Song, it’s no wonder that the track has such a fairy tale and enchanting quality to it. The song starts off with the sweet, soft vocals that are Miss Elm, which is then combined with the flute and what we can only assume is a glockenspiel. Every element works seamlessly together and it’s this ability is exactly what makes it a standout on the EP. Baby Song stands as a tribute to the immense instrumental talent that Miss Elm clearly has.
Their last song Adelaide slows it right down, and is the perfect conclusion to Idle Away. Harrington’s voice is perfectly harmonised with Lucinda Bopf’s flute playing and you can’t help but get swept up in its dreamlike quality.
Each song has been clearly thought out and encompasses the perfect amount of instrumental to compliment the vocals of Harrington and Bopf. With a wide range of instruments like the flute, glockenspiel and melodica at their playing disposal, as a result all of their songs have a distinct sound rarely seen amongst bands of today.
In a mere four songs, Miss Elm manages to transfix you with their unique sound and has you itching to hear what they have to offer in an LP. Although it seems that the band have appeared out of nowhere, with the amount of talent and energy the Brisbane four-piece exhibit they are bound to be around for a while.
Amanda Sherring
Almost as soon as Growing Pains starts, lead singer Erin Harrington, jumps into the high notes of the song. But whether she hits them or not is another matter, as there’s something a little imperfect about the pitch of her first few notes. However, these concerns are soon thrown away when Growing Pains continues, and Harrington’s vocals take on a similar tone and vocal ability to that of Kate Miller-Heidke.
Although lacking a little bit in lyrical substance, Space serves as a great song to sing-a-long to. Similar to something you’d hear from Kate Nash, Harrington has an impressive ability of hitting those higher notes and making you want to try and hit them too.
With a title like Baby Song, it’s no wonder that the track has such a fairy tale and enchanting quality to it. The song starts off with the sweet, soft vocals that are Miss Elm, which is then combined with the flute and what we can only assume is a glockenspiel. Every element works seamlessly together and it’s this ability is exactly what makes it a standout on the EP. Baby Song stands as a tribute to the immense instrumental talent that Miss Elm clearly has.
Their last song Adelaide slows it right down, and is the perfect conclusion to Idle Away. Harrington’s voice is perfectly harmonised with Lucinda Bopf’s flute playing and you can’t help but get swept up in its dreamlike quality.
Each song has been clearly thought out and encompasses the perfect amount of instrumental to compliment the vocals of Harrington and Bopf. With a wide range of instruments like the flute, glockenspiel and melodica at their playing disposal, as a result all of their songs have a distinct sound rarely seen amongst bands of today.
In a mere four songs, Miss Elm manages to transfix you with their unique sound and has you itching to hear what they have to offer in an LP. Although it seems that the band have appeared out of nowhere, with the amount of talent and energy the Brisbane four-piece exhibit they are bound to be around for a while.
Amanda Sherring