Even - Even

by Nadeem Ali

Good-time Aussie power-pop

"When they get it wrong Even are pretty pointless but when they get it right as on the sexy Stonesy/ Velvets chugga-lugga rock ‘n’ roll ramalama of ‘Sister Rock’ for a few minutes they fool you thinking they might just be the best band in the world."

Even are another in a long line of underrated Australian power-pop bands that includes The Hoodoo Gurus and You Am I. And like power-pop legends, and friends Redd Kross, they seem to be more of a band’s band. A band with a cult reputation that outweighs their quantifiable record sales, at least outside of their native Australia. One of those fans is The Dandy Warhol’s guitarist Peter Holstrom, who loves the band so much he plays on their latest album.

Even’s laidback pop-rock classicism maybe old fashioned but it is also a rather pleasantly relaxing experience at times. The self-titled album is full of good time rock ‘n’ roll. It is the kind of album to listen to while you relax in the summer sun in your back yard or garden. It is a second gear smooching around the house doing not a lot kinda album. Even have spent over a decade perfecting their sound and the result is a band that are locked in a comfortable groove.

Unfortunately though Even occasionally get stuck in the retro rock stodge. When the bright ideas and sparkly melodies drift away though Even could be any other generic rock band trying to emulate the sounds of the 60s/70s. The huffing, puffing, plodding ‘The Pinnacle’ is run of the mill XFM fodder. When they get it wrong Even are pretty pointless but when they get it right as on the sexy Stonesy/ Velvets chugga-lugga rock ‘n’ roll ramalama of ‘Sister Rock’ for a few minutes they fool you thinking they might just be the best band in the world. ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Keep On Burning’ shimmy and shake with sensual abandon. They are loose limbed, slightly raunchy, a little moddish and totally invigorating.

The Redd Kross like bittersweet bounce of ‘Only One’ is a timeless classic. ‘I Walk On’ has a cocky swagger to go with its chunky riffs and sneering vocals. ‘The Common Law’ is a simple and effective little pub-rocker. In many way it sums up Even at their heartfelt, crowd pleasing best: no frills, no spills and no bellyaches just good old fashioned tunesmithery.

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