Mark from Cortex Rock

From the first sight of this album you can tell that someone has put a lot of time, effort and money into making it look like a professional job. The quality of the inlay is superb - printed in full colour with a nice mix of pictures, handwritten text and the all-important lyrics. The CDs themselves are glass-mastered duplicates, not CD-Rs burned off on someone's CD writer, with a simple yet effective screen-printed design that carries the concept of 'directions' through from the cover artwork. The album consists of ten tracks, with song titles that, while not all being immediately obvious as to what they refer, certainly give the impression of what to expect. Being a relatively young band (all the members in their early twenties) the songs cover everything from relationships that work, those that don't, drug abuse, memories of childhood and that bit in life where you're faced with an impossible decision.

The album kicks off with 'Time Will Tell', a song about finally finding that special person that it seems will make your life complete. It pretty accurately describes how you feel when starting a relationship with someone new, but deals with the nagging doubt that you can never know how things will go - and only time will tell. A catchy tune with some nice hooks.

'Don't Wanna Know' is a song about a girl who won't stop talking about her ex while she's dating you. I don't know any guy who can take that sort of punishment, so the sentiment of this track is well-founded in reality! Love the 'question and answer' intro on the guitars too!

The third track 'You're Only Perfect Twice A Week' is for me the perfect break up song. How to tell a girl you still love her, even though she's turned into a bitch and you can't stand being around her any more. This song genuinely sends shivers down my spine, and is probably one of the best tracks on the album.

'Toby Knows' deals with the tricky issue of drug abuse - a damning criticism of people who allow themselves to become addicts. I don't know if the Toby of the title of the song is a real person, or based on someone known by the band, but it seems that the writer of the song has had some first hand experience in dealing with someone who is addicted to drugs. The track features an excellent upbeat riff and an excellent example of the vocal harmonies that set One Day Elliott apart from the rest.

Wasted opportunities are the theme of the fifth track 'No Tomorrow'. A song about taking what you've got and making the most of it, instead of putting it off for whatever reason. Makes you want to get and up and go (but not before you've heard the rest of the album)!

'Seven Ten Split' is not, as the song says, about bowling - but an illustration of having to deal with an impossible situation (a 7/10 split being the most difficult pick-up in ten pin bowling), but not letting the odds put you off.

Listening to 'That Moment' reminds me of being back at school when there's that special girl or boy that you really, really want to ask out, but don't do it, for whatever reason and end up kicking yourself for the rest of your life. It's a Dr Pepper question, but what's the worst that could happen?

One for the singletons out there - 'Hearts In The Bottom Of Ashtrays' is about the person that is perfect in every way. Dreaming about the boy or girl who'll put everything that's wrong in your life right - if only you could find them!

'Meet Me By The Old Cinema' reflects on the golden days of youth, looking back through rose-tinted specs and wondering where your childhood has gone. Lamenting the onrush of time, but treasuring those memories that make you the person you are.

In a long term relationship, there's always a danger that you start to become oblivious to the needs of your other half. The final track on the album 'Taking You For Granted' is about the wake-up call you get all of a sudden when you realise you're neglecting the most important person in your life. A nice harmonic double-guitar intro sets up for great finish to the CD.

Overall, One Day Elliott have done something that a lot of other bands wish they could - make a CD that could quite easily be placed among those by signed bands in HMV and compare favourably to the likes of Blink 182, New Found Glory and even Green Day. The style is catchy, jump around and unashamedly pop-punk, but when you can make music this good, who cares if it's been done before?

Solid basslines, an excellent lead vocalist, two guitarists who compliment each other rather than competing for the best solo and a drummer who can sing too! A recent review in Kerrang! magazine netted a KKK rating - I'm going to go better than that and give them 10 out of 10. Can't wait for the next offering.

Mark – Cortex Rock