El Ten Eleven counts dance steps on new disc Promises

These Promises Are Being Videotaped El Ten Eleven Fake Record Label Sounds like: Tortoise,… These Promises Are Being Videotaped El Ten Eleven Fake Record Label Sounds like: Tortoise, Mercury Program The apprehensive tapping of a few toes slowly begins. What kind of music is this? Arms and hips begin to sway. An overwhelming urge to gyrate and contort begins to take hold.’ Control is lost as infectious riffs and the continuous tapping of snares overload internal wiring resulting in rhythmic pandemonium. There is no way to resist ‘mdash; it is time to dance! With the release of its third album, These Promises Are Being Videotaped, the West Coast tandem of Kristian Dunn and Tim Fogarty are the men behind the madness that is El Ten Eleven.’ Entirely instrumental, the album is a symphonic blend of endless bass guitar and chattering drums part of the alternative subgenre known as post-rock. Basically, this musical categorization consists of using traditional rock instruments in nontraditional forms. Using a fretless bass guitar, Dunn effortlessly whirls his instrument in a truly original way. The lack of frets allows for easier playing and a much smoother sound. ‘ A recognizable example of fretless bass being properly utilized is in the opening solo of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song ‘Around the World.’ Another weapon in the bassist’s arsenal is a consistent use of effects pedaling, which allows the guitar to distort and reverberate in a unique fashion. The consistent effects pedaling is blissfully comparable to a Mega Man boss fight. From the percussion perspective, Fogarty uses acoustic and electronic drums that center around a strong, steady bass beat with heavy emphasis on the snare drums. Even party-going wallflowers will be induced to do at least some light head-bobbing as a result of the contagious thumping. With songs titles like, ‘I Like Van Halen Because My Sister Says They Are Cool’ and ‘Adam and Nathan Totally Kick Ass,’ the album emits an overtly playful tone. And since there are no lyrics, the bass and drums tell the story. It is a happy one. ‘Jumping Frenchmen of Maine,’ the opening track, sets the pulse-pounding pace of the album with its repetitive, Nintendo-esque refrains and echoing bass undertones. If it is possible to resist dancing to this song, then a doctor’s visit might be in order. Each song carries with it a degree of similarity to the rest of the tracks, but each retains its own sense of individuality ‘mdash; tone shifts, fits of dissonance and hypnotic solos all underlined with solid drum work. The band’s twisted, barely-recognizable cover of Radiohead’s ‘Paranoid Android’ flutters under a soft bass riff coupled with more constant snare for more than a minute. The mild beginning is followed by an onslaught of a relentless bass jam-session straight from the next-door neighbor’s garage. While the delightful album should come with a dozen glow sticks, it does have one vital flaw in its conception ‘mdash; it is way too short. Not even reaching the half-hour plateau, this eight-track marvel is at least saved by its $10 price tag. Length aside, this is a stellar musical endeavor unlike anything the mainstream has to offer. Atmospheric and ethereal, These Promises Are Being Videotaped will turn stagnant dance floors into unrivaled raves.