LOCAL DISCS: The Elusive Project X - Eleven

The Elusive Project X, as the name might suggest, is a band with no clear-cut identity. The Vancouver trio of singer Shaye Martirano and multi-instrumentalists Brent Calkin and Flavio Monopoli flirts between down-tempo electronica ("See The Dark"), folksy balladry ("Your Faith"), and flat-out rock ("Aura 13") on its debut disc. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing.

Calkin and Monopoli, who produced Eleven, have a knack for programming and seem to know their way around a recording studio, while Martirano's confident vocals are strong enough to warrant a bit of stylistic flirtation.

There are a few missteps, however. The sassy-modern-woman posture of "Checkmate", for instance, is just a little too close to Shania Twain territory for comfort, although the song is a catchy slice of organ driven funk.

EPX's challenge is to maintain its diversity while developing a more cohesive sound. Judging by the amount of talent displayed on this CD, the band - which gives an in-store performance at HMV on Robson this Thursday (February 24) - should be up to the task. - John Lucas, The Georgia Straight, February 24 - March 2, 2000.