This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive.
By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, March/April 2007
Label: Maple Music Recordings
Peter Elkas’ second record follows up successfully from his debut. With help from producer Charlie Sexton, the singer-songwriter has created a record with better consistency and quality than his debut, Party Of One. Wall of Fire is a natural progression; these 10 tracks build on the style that Elkas had already established while successfully focusing in on the best of what he had done before. His pop-rock sensibilities take a back seat to his soul influences on this new record.
Wall of Fire portrays Elkas in the role of the romantic, singing, “It’s not my will power that keeps me true, it’s my desire to be with you,” in the track “Will Power.” On the title track, he sings “Walking through a wall of fire would be easier than hurting you again.” These romantic soul songs are the cornerstones of Wall of Fire.
Elkas is able to handle such an overused topic of romance without falling into cliché. Even in his farewell to “Sweet Nancy,” he has grace and style that bring something new to the standard break-up song. A plea to see the obvious and go their separate ways, the narrator tries to convince Nancy that the time has come for them to part while only wanting the best for his former partner.
The biggest problem with Party of One was it sounded too much like a Ron Sexsmith record. With Sexsmith drummer Don Kerr no longer at the helm, Peter Elkas is able to sound more like himself even with Sexsmith himself lending harmony vocals to the fabulous “Will Power,” a song about true devotion to one’s partner.
Elkas is able to more fully flesh out his sound, thanks to the involvement of The Elkaholics: Jeff Heisholt, Doug Friesen and Gavin Maguire. Elkas’ new band allows him to record live off the floor and create a more cohesive sound. The Elkaholics and Sexton (usually joining on percussion and 2nd drum kit) create a record that sounds more like a communal work, rather than being led by one person. Elkas’ songs and guitar playing are never drowned out by his bandmates, but they are able to add their own style when accompanying him.
Listening to the work of Peter Elkas from the first Local Rabbits album to Wall of Fire, the listener can trace a path that the songwriter has taken. Wall of Fire is a natural progression from all of Elkas’ previous work, while also providing something distinctive for his fans.