1st Base Runner - Ellis - Album Review - Alternative Post-Rock from Austin, Texas, USA
Today I am writing about the promising alternative post-rock project, 1st Base Runner, from Austin, Texas, USA, for the second time with their studio EP album, Ellis (2021).
Near Me (Official Audio)
Music video by 1st Base Runner performing Near Me
Directors: Ellis Chai Bahl & Johnny Chew
Creative Director: Dilly Gent
Production company: Son&Heir
Post Production director: Vern Moen
Editor: Vern Moen
VFX: Johnny Chew & Sam Stucky
Director of Photography: Jess Dunlap
Art Director: Armando Vernet
Colour: Graham Lovelis
Ellis (2021) was the music I am listening to all day today, the second 1st Base Runner record I listened to after reviewing their latest record, Light Roars (2022) about two weeks ago. The more I find out about this project the more it grew in me.
"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in! - Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part III"
Musically, Ellis is simply a mesmerizing listen, a surreal dark and moody journey from start to finish. The album's musical concept sits on electronic moody synths, pads, and beats which create the fundamentals, accompanied by spacy shoegaze and alternative rock guitars with vast reverby effects. Unlike the Light Roars approach, Ellis is much more mood oriented with an electronic focus, yet making a similar impact regardless of your preferences. This is about art, not only music.
Additionally, I personally appreciated the way 1st Base Runner invested in their musical career, everything belonging to this brand has similar standards to established artists. The idea came to me while listening to Ellis today, and now I know what to expect from them in the future.
The musical theme immediately makes a positive impact on the listener and pulls you into its dark world. The production here has a crucial role in the outcome, giving life to such a beautiful piece of art. Ellis has the mood that I love the most, even though I wasn't sure about the percentage of electronic and alternative rock elements in the concept in the beginning.
The album simply stands out with its artistic vision and brand value above everything else, deserves all the respect for its outcome.
Artist Photo
Photo; Adrian Whipp
On the other side of the coin, while agreeing with the top-class production standards of Ellis album, I also felt like the vocals were louder than I'd expected them to be. If I know one thing about 1st Base Runner, it would be the fact that they don't make commercial music. Simply as that. But in the end, I enjoyed the sound design difference between Ellis and Light Roars, appreciating the music with their imperfections.
Band Art
When I put all these into account, I'd like to say that I had a fantastic time listening to Ellis album. The album opener; Near Me earned its place in Metalhead Community's The Next Big Thing In Rock playlist on Spotify. Thanks for reading.
Written by Tim Husmann and Bryan Ellis
Produced by Tim Husmann
Mixed by Colin Bricker at Mighty Fine Productions
Mastered by Greg Calbi and Steven Fallone at Sterling Sound
Art by Matt Needle
Back Cover Photo by Adrian Whipp/Lumiere Tintype
Artist promotional photos by Heather Gildroy
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