El Ten Eleven

El Ten Eleven is a two-man post-rock band known for combining guitar/bass doubleneck, with heavy effects pedaling, over acoustic or electric drumming. Stylistically, they have been described as atmospheric, putting a much more ethereal spin on the southwestern post-rock/Americana movement than bands like Calexico or The Court & Spark, though less electronic and more organic-sounding than Tortoise or most shoegazer bands. Comparisons have also been drawn to Sigur Rós and The Mercury Program. It should be noted that, so far, El Ten Eleven has remained a primarily instrumental act. Spin, which picked them for Band of the Day, September 29, 2005, describes their work as "experimental instrumental music that's both highly skilled and deeply felt," and Entertainment Weekly considered their piece, "Lorge," to be "instrumental rock that's not boring." Amoeba Music adds "Moody, nutricious!" The band's self-titled debut album was released September 20, 2005 on Bar/None Records (home of Architecture in Helsinki, Trembling Blue Stars, Freedy Johnston, The Spinto Band, and the original They Might Be Giants label.)"Their third record, These Promises Are Being Videotaped, is packed full of danceable melodies that put Ratatat to shame." Spin.com
"The double-neck guitar is the ultimate signifier of musical masturbation and phallocentric crotch rocking. That is, unless you're El Ten Eleven, the post-rock duo from Los Angeles, who lay down simple rhythms, then wield the finished product as mechanized dance jams." Flaunt
"Once the record stops, you want more, and more, and more." Filter
"DFA 1979 and Ratatat are obvious antecedents, but these guys place a great emphasis on layering and manipulating loops on top of a consistently bodyrocking beat." RCRDLBL.com
"Kraftwerk in the Sky." The Onion
"Audience members (like myself) stare in amazement at the fury of Kristian's fingers and feet... it makes the Polyphonic Spree seem like member-hoarding pussies." LA Alternative Press
"Your album hasn't left my CD player since last month." Spiritualized
"Although El Ten Eleven haven't yet garnered the mainstream praise they deserve, their sophisticated sound earned them a prominent spot on the Helvetica (2007) soundtrack - and scores of new fans in the process." Flavorpill