Elliott Randal - Take The Fall

Mini-Reviews concentrate on the initial impression you get from an album -- what it sounds like, who does it remind you of, how does it make you feel?

Eliott Randall - Take The Fall - Four Stars
Eliott Randall, the young singer/songwriter, not the mustachioed guitarist that played Reelin' in the Years with Steely Dan, has written a strong album of good to great roots rock songs. The best song is the album's first, How To Get Old, a power-chord rocker with mandolin and slide guitar fills and a solid, twangy lead vocal. Other stand-out songs are the title track, Take The Fall, which remains delightfully twangy even with the Coldplay echoed-organ flourishes, and Don't Give Up On Me, an acoustic-turns-electric rocker with a great hook. Good song-writing paired with good production makes this a solid album. My only complaint is that the lead electric guitar gets a little too "Santana-y" on a few songs. I like Santana, but it feels out of place on this album.

Four stars -- Recommended