Singer/songwriter Diego Garcia's inoffensive band Elefant is many things, but ambitious is not one of them. Sounding like a sunnier, Britpop-tinged Interpol, Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid manages to escape clone-comparisons mostly by way of Tom Clapp's squeaky-clean production. Particular attention is given to James Berrall's bass, which carries many of the first few songs. Unfortunately, the bland, shimmery strumming and equally boring (if precise) drumming fail to add much to songs that either the aforementioned Interpol, or in some cases, even Aloha have done better. The noisier parts of songs like "Misfit" are rendered less effective by the dry production, and while Garcia's voice is likably non-emo, lyrics like "When I first saw her / I knew that I loved her / When I said goodbye / I knew that I loved her / Now that I miss her / I wish I could kiss her" aren't too hot coming from anyone; at least Interpol's worst lyrical faux pas are mostly inaudible. With a new producer and better instrumentation, Garcia's songwriting might have a chance to shine; we'll just have to wait and see.
1. Make Up
2. Now That I Miss Her
3. Misfit
4. Bokkie
5. Tonight Let's Dance
6. Static on Channel 4
7. Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid
8. Annie
9. Love
10. Ester
More about: Elefant
