Review: Supergroup All The Real Girls’ ‘Elk City’ Lives Up to Huge Names

Fused with Americana and an enticing story, Elk City brings together the musical talents of Seattle supergroup All The Real Girls and bursts with larger than life tales. Produced by John Goodmanson (Nada Surf, Sleater-Kinney, Los Campesinos!) and featuring members Jason McGerr (Death Cab For Cutie), Jim Roth (Built To Spill), Steve Fisk (Pell Mell), Eric Corson (The Long Winters), Eric Howk (The Lashes), and Shelby Earl, Elk City lives up to the high expectations set having such a long list of famously talented members.

Created when member Peter Donovan met an eccentric and talkative woman at a California bar, Elk City reflects on her tales of “adultery, botched kidnappings, crazy cult leaders, and schizophrenic starlets.” Donovan described this talkative vagabond as, “Probably in her 70s, super tall, wearing this bright yellow dress, and a pair of these ridiculous Coke bottle glasses. She basically just inhaled white wine, smoked like a chimney, and told me these crazy, amazing stories all night.” This eccentric storytelling is uniquely reflected and combined with the musical talents of All The Real Girls members to produce a different and flavorful album.

Standout track “Lizzie” starts with a soft acoustic guitar line which soon fades into a heartfelt confession in that classic Americana style characteristic of Elk City as a whole. All The Real Girls puts their own spin on a classic Americana vibe. Inspired by stories of epic proportions, Elk City manages to entertain with its creative lyricism while impressing with its authentic and enticing instrumentals.

(Elk City can be purchased digitally via iTunes or physically at alltherealgirlsmusic.com/store. Stream the title track below via SoundCloud.)