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French Critics Denounce Le Pen, Praise
Hold Tight the Ropes
Virgin Megapress, May 2002:
"Bewitching harmonies, adorable gimmicks, feverish guitars. Great record."
A Decouvrir Absolument, June 2002:
"After a long dry spell, America again gives us something to nourish our ears. Elk City's last release, status was one of the great memories of 2001. Now with Hold Tight the Ropes Elk City have proven themselves to be one of the best indie groups of the past few years."
Popingays, June 2002:
"One of the essential albums of 2002, the compositions here are impeccable. 'Don't Fight What You've Become' and 'Indiana' will certainly delight fans still shaken by the small jewels from the first album, in particular the famous, 'Love's Like a Bomb.'"
Rock & Folk, May 2002:
"One listen to 'Don't Fight What You've Become' or 'Once and For All,' and it's easy to see why this disc has the air of an imaginary 'Best Of' collection. Quite frankly, Elk City has made one of the most genuine and essential discs of 2002." ***1/2
PopNews, May 2002:
"With Hold Tight the Ropes, Elk City confirm a talent more than promising. This is music of contrasts, always containing a certain dark freshnessÉ In these melodic pieces, at once Folk and Indie Pop, it is not melancholia and despair that interest these three New Yorkers, but a desire to communicate a sense of hope and the joy of existenceÉ Try yourself to find defects in Hold Tight the Ropes. Personally I am unable."
Les Inrockuptibles, June 2002:
"Elk City are from NYC, so they hold true to the Velvet Underground. But the trio mostly keep an eye toward California - Jefferson Airplane, the Doors, Neil Young. While flirting with the mid-60's they are also able to destroy the walls of the museum to explore new territories."
Le Monde, May 9, 2002:
"American rock 'n roll at the end of the 1980's swarmed with groups such as these - Silos, Miracle Legion, Galaxie 500... which, in line with R.E.M., spiced their country-folk-rock 'n roll with contemporary tensions. Also influenced by Radiohead, the key group of the following decade, Elk City take the torch and at once make it rougher, more romantic and dreamier."
Les Inrocks.com, June 2002:
"Hold Tight the Ropes confirms the talent of this ageless group. If Peter's mutinous guitar makes one think of the reverberated stylings of Dean Wareham in Galaxie 500 and Luna, the comparison is not by chance. One finds in these groups the same sensitivite and melancholic persona, the same references to the Velvet Underground, which make them oscillate between white vibration and exquisite languorÉBut the true trademark of Elk City is the blending of the two voices of Renee and Peter on almost all of the pieces. With Peter's voice, typically new york, slow and sexy, and that of Renee, unfettered, pulling and teasing, one imagines Elk City a perfect candidate to cover Gainsbourg's 'Bonnie & Clyde.'"
Compact, May 2002:
4 stars****
Magic, May 2002:
"From now on, the band has rid itself of its postadolescent influences (traditional Velvet Underground or smoky Jefferson Airplane) to prefer personal combinations of modern folk-pop. Undoubtedly, the tone is hardened--the guitars slice like razor blades, the lyrics are soaked in acid. The play of mixed vocals brings an additional tension ('Indiana', 'Once And For All', 'Rosemary')É The trio can dash at speeds of 140 per hour, doubling by the left the best of Yo Tengo and making a fish-tail of Pavement."
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