For those new to Ellis D, you will find a familiar warmth within the chaotic madness on display here. His music is well crafted and very much unique to the character and talent of Ellis D (real name Ellis Dickson). Written and recorded entirely by Dickson himself at Hackney Road studios with Shuta Shinoda (Hot Chip, Jenny Beth), ‘Spill’ serves up a seven-song jetstream of rocket-fuelled, goth-tinged glam-punk infested with 21st-century paranoia.
With fleeting David Byrne-style vocals and colourful bursts of guitar throughout, ‘Chasing The Blue’ sets the scene for the glammed-up indie rock to come. It’s spectacular and ambitious, filled with the singular genius that only the singularly talented can pull off. Think Bowie and Prince coupled with a splash of Syd Barrett.
The scatty nervousness of ‘Humdrum’ affects you in physical waves of energy. The track feels old-fashioned and a throwback to the late avant-garde pop of the 80s. If anything, the track demonstrates how incredibly tight the playing on this EP is. All thanks to the man himself and his creative arranging, playing, and writing, but really, it’s the bonding of the instruments that makes this album. The abrupt stops to the unleashed chaos are all done in a controlled way. That’s the key to his unique sound.
Even with all the theatrics, this is very much a guitar album. An instrument that Dickson uses as an extension of himself. At times, it is angular and abrasive, yet able to flip into full-on rock before breaking into soaring a solo. The jangly intro before the unhinged outro of ‘Shakedown’ when everything goes to eleven or the gentle intro of ‘Spill’. The creative outbursts of the guitar playing are inspiring, yet only a tiny part of Dickson’s musical craft.
‘Insect’ goes metal, benefitting from some creative drumming under swooping and looping vocals that soar and dance with music that coalesces into a funky blues jam. ‘Shakedown’ comes next with an urgent splattering of fast-paced indie clattering drums and raging guitars. The vice grip-like control is an impressive feat, akin to controlling an raging elephant.
The operatic doo-wop of ‘Homecoming Queen’, with its falsetto acrobatics, swings like a sledge hammer between quiet and loud over a fuzzy guitar line and swaying backing. Dickson stretches his fingers on the track’s adlibbed melodic solo.
If you are looking for a relaxing album, then this isn’t for you. The nervous energy that jumps out the speakers is infectious. The subdued moments on ‘Drifting’ are false indications that the EP is ending on a quieter note. The track is a masterpiece of guitar-driven indie rock, trembling and culminating this trip through one of music’s geniuses.
Check out the track Humdrum, below:
Purchase the EP here
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