Jump to content

The Reputation

From Alfawiki
The Reputation
Company typeIndie rock band
IndustryMusic
Founded2001
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums

The Reputation was an indie rock ensemble originating from Chicago, Illinois, led by former Sarge vocalist and songwriter Elizabeth Elmore, alongside a rotating lineup of musicians.

Established during Elmore's tenure at law school, the group issued two albums between 2001 and 2006, both of which were met with favorable critical reception. Their touring schedule spanned extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

History

Following the dissolution of her earlier band Sarge, Elmore enrolled at Northwestern University Law School. Initially embarking on solo tours, she soon enlisted former Sarge drummer Russ Horvath and ex-Chisel bassist Chris Norborg—who was also a fellow law student—to join her on the road. When their academic commitments prevented further participation, Elmore recruited friends Sean Hulet (ex-Moreno guitarist/vocalist), Scott Rosenquist (ex-Moreno drummer), and Joel Root (ex-Andiamo bassist) to complete an East Coast tour.[1]

In 2001, Elmore took a hiatus from law school to dedicate herself fully to the band. After replacing Rosenquist with Ben Kane, formerly of Nymb, they secured a contract with Initial Records. Kane soon exited, prompting Elmore to bring in Chad Romanski, another former Sarge drummer, after persistent requests. The band then undertook a West Coast tour and commenced recording their first album with Romanski on drums. It was during this period that they adopted the name The Reputation.[2][3]

Self-titled debut

The group's inaugural album, titled The Reputation, was released in 2002 following extensive recording sessions in late 2001.[2] Most songs were tracked at Chicago’s Atlas studio, except for a rendition of Elvis Costello's "Almost Blue," which featured piano and production contributions from then-Wilco guitarist Jay Bennett.[4] All original material was penned by Elizabeth Elmore, who also co-produced the album alongside Matt Allison.[4]

Receiving critical acclaim, the album garnered a 3.5 out of 4-star rating from the Los Angeles Times, which lauded Elmore’s evocative lyricism.[5] The College Music Journal praised Elmore’s incisive songwriting and compelling vocal delivery,[6] while Village Voice awarded an A− grade, with critic Robert Christgau highlighting Elmore’s transition from legal studies to music.[7]

After the album's release, Matt Espy joined as the band's first stable drummer,[2] supporting extensive tours across North America.[8] In 2003, Elmore managed both touring and songwriting while resuming law school; Espy departed after nearly a year and a half due to personal reasons.[2]

To Force a Fate

As the group readied their sophomore album and entered negotiations with Lookout! Records, Steve Van Horn took over drumming duties from Espy. The recording sessions in late 2003 were intense, involving extended hours in the studio alongside Elmore’s commitments to law school.[9] These sessions marked a shift toward a more collaborative approach to songwriting.[10]

The album was released in April 2004 under Lookout! Records,[11] and it garnered favorable critiques: Spin Magazine described it as "a bang of power pop epiphany,"[12] while Blender Magazine gave it four stars, highlighting Elmore’s fusion of legal themes with personal storytelling.[13] Additionally, Entertainment Weekly awarded a B+, characterizing the album as "muscular yet lush."[12] The record achieved a peak position of No. 58 on the CMJ charts.[2]

Post-album touring

From 2004 through 2005, The Reputation embarked on extensive tours throughout the United States, supporting artists such as Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Killers, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, and the Donnas.[8] Their appearance at South by Southwest was met with acclaim from Entertainment Weekly.[14]

In 2005, the band made their debut UK tour alongside two additional U.S. tours. Midway through the year, bassist Joel Root exited for personal reasons; Greg Mytych of Stereo South stepped in to fulfill summer tour responsibilities.[8] Plans to record a follow-up album in 2006 were ultimately abandoned due to complications, including difficulties with Lookout! Records.[15] The group performed at North East Sticks Together in September 2005 before officially disbanding by late 2006.[16] Subsequently, drummer Steve Van Horn joined Austin singer-songwriter Che Arthur’s touring ensemble.

Musical and lyrical style

The Reputation’s musical identity grew out of Elmore’s earlier work with Sarge,[17] drawing frequent comparisons to musicians such as Liz Phair, Neil Young, and Elvis Costello, whose song "Almost Blue" they covered.[12][17][18] Their influences encompass genres including post-hardcore, alternative country, indie rock, classical music, bluegrass, and pop from the 1980s.[19] While their debut album featured traditional punk instrumentation, To Force a Fate expanded their sound with piano, string arrangements, and horns,[18] combining introspective songwriting with indie rock grandeur.[18]

Regarding lyrics, Elmore frequently delved into intimate relationship themes with notable frankness.[19]

Members

Throughout its history, The Reputation experienced multiple changes in its lineup.

Last lineup
  • Elizabeth Elmore – lead vocals and guitar
  • Sean Hulet – guitar and backing vocals
  • Greg Mytych – bass guitar
  • Steve Van Horn – drums
Previous members
  • Matt Espy – drums
  • Ben Kane – drums for touring
  • Chad Romanski – drums on the recording of The Reputation
  • Joel Root – bass guitar
  • Scott Rosenquist – drums during tours

Releases

Studio albums
Compilation appearances
Year Track Compilation Additional information
2002 "For the Win" (Demo) Fields and Streams A re-recorded version was included on The Reputation
"For What It's Worth" Don't Know When I'll Be Back Again: A Compilation Benefiting American Veterans of the Vietnam War
"Some Senseless Day" OIL Subsequently featured on To Force a Fate
2005 "Face It" That's My Bag Also included on To Force a Fate

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AversionSchild
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named RepOffBio
  3. ↑ Draper, Jimmy. "Elmore's World". San Francisco Bay Guardian, August 27, 2002.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named STLiners
  5. ↑ Bronson, Kevin. "If This Rock Star Thing Fails, There's Always Law School". Los Angeles Times, March 17, 2002.
  6. ↑ Wan, Amy. "REPUTATION: The Reputation". College Music Journal.
  7. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "We Got A Lot". Village Voice, April 20, 2002.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named RepTourDates
  9. ↑ Bowker, Tom. "SOUND CHECK / Above the law". Miami Herald.
  10. ↑ To Force a Fate liner notes.
  11. ↑ "Reputation – to force a fate". Lookout! Records.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named press
  13. ↑ Catucci, Nick. "The Reputation: To Force A Fate". Blender.
  14. ↑ "It's gettin' hot at South by Southwest". Entertainment Weekly, April 2, 2004.
  15. ↑ "Green Day Departure Hobbles Lookout". Aversion.com, August 2, 2005.
  16. ↑ Elmore, Elizabeth. "the band is over". groups.yahoo.com.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AMG Reputation
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AMG Fate
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Lookout! bio
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=The_Reputation&oldid=84484"