El Ten Eleven’s electrifying instrumental trip

Kevin Bronson on
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You read it here first: Words are overrated.

Well, at least when it comes to the music of El Ten Eleven, the L.A. duo who play frenetic, futuristic rock music in a language spoken by double-necked guitars, electronic and acoustic drums, effects pedals and looping gizmos. The exhilarating, 28-minute workout that is their lastest album, “These Promises Are Being Videotaped,” says a lot without saying anything at all — which suits guitarist Kristian Dunn and drummer Tim Fogarty just fine.

“I really like the challenge of instrumental music; it takes a lot to hold people’s attention without lyrics,” Dunn says, adding good-naturedly, “Besides, we have no lyrics more by necessity than by design.”

So neither Dunn nor Fogarty — who comprise the rhythm section of the excellent San Diego pop quartet the Softlightes — can sing, or wants to. Articulation still comes into play in songwriting. “It’s not like ‘This C-sharp is the word the, and this A is the word yes … but when I write I have a subject matter or person in mind, and the music will go a certain direction,” Dunn says. “I think of these as pop songs, really — I want it to be catchy. I don’t want eight-minute epics like Godspeed [You Black Emperor] … I like a catchy verse, a riff and a chorus.”

And the song titles kind of end up writing themselves, apparently. Highlights: “Adam and Nathan Totally Kick Ass;” “I Like Van Halen Because My Sister Says They Are Cool;” and “Jumping Frenchmen of Main.” They almost become lyric sheets if you can sit still during ETE’s post-rock disco, which reminds you, vaguely, of a less synthetic Ratatat.

There isn’t much in the way of studio tricks on the album, either. “Everything you hear on the record is what Tim and I have to do live,” says Dunn, who was inspired to try looping after seeing Jon Brion. “One thing for sure — it’s a lot easier touring as a two-piece. It’s cheaper, and the album has been selling really well on the road. It’s nice to come home with a little profit. We almost feel like rock stars.”

||| Live: El Ten Eleven plays the Hotel Cafe on Wednesday.

||| More downloads: RCRDLBL has a download of ETE’s “K10.”