by Randy Harward
Elizabeth Elmore's first post-Sarge record was the whip-smart and venomously sweet stroke of pop-rock genius one would have expected. Her sharp insights and accusations - not to mention hooks - were never more potent in her previous, critically adored band, and The Reputation was hailed as a grand reemergence of a thrilling talent. But however brilliant, it also seemed like a test-run, somewhat incomplete (perhaps becasue Elmore was just getting back int he game she'd abandoned in order to complete law school). Two years later, with "To Force a Fate," Elmore has logged more actual and figurative miles and worked out all the kinks. Her songs are carefully and exquisitely realized, written just to completion - perfection without polish. Her ubiquitous themes of betrayal and conflict have neutralized, finding fault with the author as well as her peers and paramours (see "Follow-Through Time"). The arrangements evince a compositional ear akin to Elivs Costello's with strings, horns and keys geting nearly as much ear time as guitar-bass-drums, and the performances are consummately pro, but raw like betrayal. It's a stunning work that sees the Reputation fulfilling Sarge's much-ballyhooed promise, and delivering a magnum opus right at the stroke of follow-through time.