Like his last outing, "No Outlet", the new album from Jeff Elbel + Ping is a relaxed, graceful and highly and devilishly catchy collections of gentle acoustic jangle pop. The type that is never in a patient, never in a hurry to rush to reach the `big hook` or `straight to the top` chorus. Elbel never plays the `write-by-formula` game on the material here, always throwing in an unexpected arrangement, key or chord change and embellishment. The entire album features andrewesley on lead and rhythm guitar. Also featured is organist Phil Madeira (Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris). The album was mastered in Chicago by Dan Stout (Wilco, etc.) of Colossal Mastering, and sounds great. Storybook contains ten tracks of engaging, smart storytelling rock and roll. Bonus Points: Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. "Ping is one of those "hard to classify" groups. Frontman, guitarist, and vocalist Jeff Elbel has such diverse musical influences that seem unrelated, until you hear the flow of songs one to another. Equal parts Big Star, The Rolling Stones, and They Might Be Giants, the Eleventh Hour Storybook covers the waterfront from relational issues ("Goodnight, Rabbit"), career problems ("Soul Destroyer"), rock star dreams ("Getting Ahead of Myself"), to humorous novelty songs ("Bark Along With Cody"). Elbel`s tongue in cheek humor, combined with some wonderfully talented bandmates make for a fun record that, every so often, catches you off guard by making you think..Elbel`s vocals range from `70`s front men to Jonathan Rundman in style, with a dose of Mick Jagger thrown in for good measure..Ping is an indie/small label talent that deserves more notice than they will receive, and the pity of it is that any proceeds from the record go to Habitat for Humanity. My recommendation is this: buy one for yourself, and enjoy the wise investment you have made for your musical collection. Then buy another, give it to a friend, and write off your tax deduction to charity, knowing what your donation can bring."-The Phantom Tollbooth.
 Engine Of Destruction - mp3
Getting Ahead Of Myself - mp3
Bark Along With Cody - mp3
You Little Victim - mp3
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