Even - Self-Titled

Wed 30th Apr, 2008 in Music Reviews

Even, where’ve you been? Why did you go? And by the way – what were you doing there? It’s been a long time since anyone’s heard from you. We were all sort of worried. Maybe you’ve been spending the last few years working on the new self-titled album? Whatever! This record’s absolutely brilliant. Full of classic rock riffs and with a healthy dose of indie-Brit, it’s a more than welcome return from Melbourne’s favourite three-piece.

And the boys don’t muck around on this one. From the opener and single, I Am The Light, it’s one sweet smack in the face. With Ash Naylor sounding as if he were born to do nothing but sing, Wally Kempton rumbling away and Matt Cotter pounding like he’s never done before, everything is perfect. Straight away you know the boys are back and it’s as if they were never gone. From here on in it just gets better, with the likes of Only One and Walk On, which probably has one of the coolest riffs you’ll hear this year. That said, the grooving swagger of Superstition Blues is pretty impressive. With a little harmonica thrown in for authenticity’s sake and Ash’s lingering drawl, it’s another highlight.

While for the most part Even is a rocking affair, there’s still some worthy diversity. The Fool Who Made You Sad waltzes along with all the country swagger of a Gram Parsons number. Full of slide guitar, snare slaps and booze-soaked harmonies, it’s a delightful Sunday afternoon ballad. Again steering away from the rock edge, Tangled Up is another left-of-centre number. All wigged-out guitars and rolling drums, Ash gives us a lesson in love 101: “When you’re in love with a fantasy, it can make your soul die…I don’t want to touch your powerline. Don- œt let me get tangled up.” To be honest, when a man sounds this good, I’m taking his advice.

So it goes on: Rainbows, Keep On Burning and The Pinnacle. It’s all amazingly good and it’s all from Even. Yes, Even. They’re back people.