Creation Myths

Album review

In the history of rock music, there was only supposed to have been one Elvis and one Perkins – Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins, but the story of the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll is starting to grow old. The story of Elvis Perkins, (that’s his real name, he’s the son of actor Anthony “Psycho” Perkins) however, begins in 2007, with the release of his first album which delighted fans with beautiful music somewhere between folk and American pop. Creation Myths is his fifth album, 13 years after the first, but very close in spirit. Indeed, Elvis Perkins looks back into his past and brings old unpublished songs back to the studio, all of which date back to his early days as a songwriter. In terms of composition, these songs predate his first record and were written without the pressure of a music career or the public eye on his shoulders. They are therefore rather relaxed with pedal-steel and sometimes a few brass instruments in a country-bop, cosy-by-the-fireplace setting like when it’s snowing outside and you’re waiting for spring. At times, it seems Elvis falls asleep in front of the fireplace and his songs take on a retro-psychedelic, Beatles-style space cowboys feel. At other times, his singing follows in the footsteps of Leonard Cohen, displaying as much disillusionment as elegance. All of the tracks are fairly dark. But the friendly and nonchalant voice of Elvis Perkins provides a ray of sunlight and warmth in this album, which is the perfect soundtrack for snuggling up to. © Stéphane Deschamps/Qobuz