Nightmare of the Elf- Graveyard Dance Party

Last Updated on Monday, 18 June 2007 19:19 Written by Shaun Phelps

Artist: [Nightmare of the Elf]
CD Title: [Graveyard Dance Party]
Label: [Self Released]
Reviewer: [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]
Date: [06-20-2005]

Graveyard Dance Party is the first release by California Goth rockers Nightmare of the Elf. The band consists of James Hazley, Naren Renz, and front man John Landau. The most appropriate way to start is by saying Nightmare of the Elf is not a traditional Goth band by any means. It only takes about 30 seconds of listening to “Brat” to figure that out. Nightmare of the Elf’s promo sheet proudly states “Puts the Bauhaus back in Boingo.” I think anyone would be hard pressed to come up with a better description than that. Their style is reminiscent of the male vocalist of the B-52’s singing “She blinded me with science” to a Goth rock beat.

This album is packed with smart, catchy tunes, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and upbeat song arrangements. Their musical influences are very New Wave driven, and I can honestly say I haven’t heard lyrics like these before. Most of the tracks are humorous, though there are a few more sensitive moments that shine through. It would be easy enough to pigeonhole this project as purely for humor, but over the course of the album Landau’s curious vocal style really grew on me and the band's character became undeniable.

With Graveyard Dance Party, Nightmare of the Elf makes it known they will not be constrained by the monotony that has taken over so many bands in the Goth rock genre. This is a fun release. Hazley, Renz, and Landau’s dynamics and interest in this project show through and it is easy to get carried away with them. Nightmare of the Elf effectively proves that while they are a part of the gothic genre, they have no problem looking beyond and doing their own thing. I would suggest this album to anyone with a sense of humor looking for something different.

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