The Elected

Today, I'd like to mention a band that managed to just get past my radar at the end of 2006. The quartet The Elected is a band intent on making music for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Don't mistake this for another Jack Johnson--the comparison is entirely wrong. Imagine a southern rock guitar riff but slower. Now add some occasional horns. Don't forget to add a couple of harmonies to the easel. Oh, and make sure brush in a little Tom Petty.
There we go. I think that might give you a good picture of The Elected's most recent album, Sun, Sun, Sun. If that still hasn't convinced you how great the album really is, then just listen to the damn tracks and experience it for yourself.

Listen to "Not Going Home"
This song starts out with a relatively average verse but then crescendos into this magnificent chorus "I'm not going home". As the song progresses, you realize that this is one of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs created. The harmony in the chorus walks the line between insanely catchy and brilliant.

Listen to "Fireflies in a Steel Mill"
A steady summery piano plays the background in this song, as the harmonies hover lightly over the soft "shoom" of the tambourine and the drums. Again, this song is a beautifully constructed piece that goes down smoother than a banana smoothie (now that's smooth!).