Bob Evans - SuburbanSongbook

Fri 28th Jul, 2006 in Music Reviews

Bob Evans aka Jebediah front man Kevin Mitchell (who we’ll refer to from now on as Bob, just to save confusion) released his debut album Suburban Kid in 2003. Those expecting anything like his Jebediah work were caught unawares by Evans’ simple songs, acoustic instrumentation, and delicate, charming vocals. Now the follow up, Suburban Songbook, has hit stores, and the good news for fans is that it’s more of the same low-key charisma that won hearts the first time around.

Album opener Don’t You Think It’s Time is also the first single. Beginning with a whispered, “One, two, one two three four,” a soft guitar rhythm and gentle flute sounds set the pace of what’s to come. Evans in this guise is a crooner, with none of the nasal ferociousness of the Jebediah work, and the song perfectly encapsulates what is to come. It’s yearning and pleading, but also loving and caring. Even the harmonica interludes slide by so softly theyre almost over before they’ve begun.

Friend is out a little more upbeat, but never abrasive, and the slide guitar twists this tune in the country direction, while a piano gives Nowhere Without You something for listeners to tap their toes to. Sadness And Whiskey is another countrified number, while Flame uses the piano to actually play out the melody, rather than just the rhythm as earlier. Evans vocals also become a little darker, giving Flame a superbly forlorn feel. Don’t Walk Alone has an arms-linked, swaying together feel, and is as close to pop rock as Evans gets. Rocks In My Head and The Great Unknown are more standard Evans far, but Comin’ Around sees him bust out a few riffs on the electric guitar for an uptempo number. Battle of 2004 brings back the slow acoustic strumming, and final track Darlin’ Wont You Come sees Evans at his best; simple instrumentation, lyrics which are longing, but not desperate, and a slick polished finish. Listeners should also stick around after that for hidden track Me And My Friend.

The Australian music scene is more than full of singer-songwriters, but anyone who has ever seen a Bob Evans show will know that he is one of the best. The simple charm and charisma of his songs carries easily over to his live show, and years of on-stage experience has given him a relaxed and confident demeanour. Evans went to Nashville to record this album, and you can feel the area’s rich music heritage has had an effect on Evans, and his songwriting.

The only problem is, this album is not exactly a great leap forward from his debut. After all, they have similar names. Mitchell is one of the better songwriters to come from the Australian indie music explosion of the mid and late 90’s, but it doesn’t feel like he’s pushing himself here. He’s spent two albums proving to listeners he CAN write softer heartfelt songs, now it remains to be seen whether or not he can do something special with them.

Suburban Kid is a rich and rewarding album, full of little gems that tug at the heartstrings. Listeners looking for more of the same of Evans’ previous work will be ecstatic with the new release, but those who have written him off will probably not find much to turn them around. There’s no doubt Evans is a great songwriter; lets just hope he uses his next album to challenge both his listeners and himself, and reach great new heights.