Parlance of Our Time

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Every summer must have its requisite Beck-descended slow burner, and for summer 2000, a likely contender is Elwood's debut, The Parlance of Our Time. The opening track, a sure-fire remake of Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown," augmented by a midtempo hip-hop groove and rapped verses, is a perfectly predictable top-down anthem. Prince Elwood Strickland is the third generation of Southern men, and his good ol' boy musical persona, a blend of laid-back attitude and self-importance, is fully embodied in the release. The album aims to please, yet its concerted effort to maintain a high coolness quotient comes off as contrived (think Everlast). That said, Elwood has extensive studio experience, having worked as an engineer on records by De La Soul, The The, Tricky, Mos Def, and Adam Yauch, and this experience is well employed. Jazz and soul elements are intelligently interspersed on these tracks, and the momentum throughout the disc builds into a diverse climax. The last three songs are a redeeming finale, incorporating relatively experimental electronica that utilize his studio skills to full effect. The attempted street cred combined with a Southern gentility results in an effort that is a bit too familiar, but Parlance will get plenty of hands wavin' in the air like they just don't care. It's a respectably disposable summer release with lots of promise for future, more enduring efforts. --Beth Massa

Parlance of Our Time

Average customer rating:

Beck-schmeck
So underated..
just listen
What are you thinking?
Very nice sounds

the parlance of our time
Elwood
Manufacturer: Palm Pictures (Audio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Experimental | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004TCHV
Release Date: 2000-05-16

Tracks:

Sundown
Slow
Red Wagon
Picture of You
Forty Five
Bush
Peaches
Dive
Love Hook
Stockboy

Amazon.com

Every summer must have its requisite Beck-descended slow burner, and for summer 2000, a likely contender is Elwood's debut, The Parlance of Our Time. The opening track, a sure-fire remake of Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown," augmented by a midtempo hip-hop groove and rapped verses, is a perfectly predictable top-down anthem. Prince Elwood Strickland is the third generation of Southern men, and his good ol' boy musical persona, a blend of laid-back attitude and self-importance, is fully embodied in the release. The album aims to please, yet its concerted effort to maintain a high coolness quotient comes off as contrived (think Everlast). That said, Elwood has extensive studio experience, having worked as an engineer on records by De La Soul, The The, Tricky, Mos Def, and Adam Yauch, and this experience is well employed. Jazz and soul elements are intelligently interspersed on these tracks, and the momentum throughout the disc builds into a diverse climax. The last three songs are a redeeming finale, incorporating relatively experimental electronica that utilize his studio skills to full effect. The attempted street cred combined with a Southern gentility results in an effort that is a bit too familiar, but Parlance will get plenty of hands wavin' in the air like they just don't care. It's a respectably disposable summer release with lots of promise for future, more enduring efforts. --Beth Massa

Customer Reviews:

Beck-schmeck.......2005-04-18

I read a lot about how this sounds like Beck and Everlast, and I guess there's some truth in it in so far as it's hip-hop influenced. That's as far as it goes though. It's like comparing The Beatles to Pantera because they both play guitar music, and is inherently lazy and close minded.

For my money Elwood is far more melodic and therefor more commercial, and I guess this is why certain pretentious, hipster Beck fans find it so offensive. I'm no fan of the mainstream, but having just listened to the album again after a couple of years, and as the owner of the back catalogues of both Beck and Everlast, I'd say this beats both hands down.

Maybe it's not as artsy, and maybe Elwood's vocals aren't the best, but musically it's excellent. A real feel good record. Highly recommended.

Why oh why didn't he make another album?

So underated.........2004-08-06

Elwoood never got the recognition it should have. Even MTV2 only had one song in rotation. What a shame. The fact is, this album is smooth and catchy. It's laid back. I first heard of Elwood on what used to be the mp3.com website. I downloaded "Sundown", Little Red Wagon" and another song from their page. Then about 6 months later, I saw this CD in a record store and quickly snatched it up. That's the way mp3s and p2p are supposed to work. If it wasn't for their webpage, I would probably have never heard of Elwood in the first place, because it wasn't getting air play or video play in my neck of the woods. It's in my top 20 of all time.

just listen.......2003-12-01

I can remeber when this album came out. I was a pop music freak and was always singing to Brit and Christina. Then my dad bought this home. He liked it, so I listened to it... and fell in love. It was hip, edgy, funky. To this day, I love it and I only wish he had made another album!

What are you thinking?.......2002-05-16

Just what the world needed - another Everlast/ Sugar Ray softie with contrived lyrics, no vocal range (when trying to sing), and a complete lack of any redeeming qualities worth mentioning. This album is corny, annoying, unintelligent, and ridiculous. Strongest recommendation to avoid!

Very nice sounds.......2002-05-14

I was impressed with over half of the songs the very first time hearing them, and the others grew on me very soon after. The remake of Sundown is the best by far, with 45 and Redwagon following. This CD is a must.

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