EVERCLEAR
Songs From An American Movie (Capitol)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Have you allowed this band to evolve? If you are still lamenting the loss of the powerhouse band that blew you off your feet with "Heroin Girl," you've been disenchanted -- or, more accurately, furious -- since the album that followed. Gotta let 'em evolve, kids.

What is the sound of Everclear today? Produced? Yes. Textured? Definitely. Gutless? Depends on your own set of definitions. Pop music -- and I'm talking about good pop music -- isn't ever gutless because it infiltrates your spirit, moves you, elevates your mood or settles you. It means something. Everclear are making music that causes twenty seconds of brow furling followed by forty-five minutes of intent listening, frequent smiling nods of understanding and a whole lot of identifying.

Art Alexakis' rhythmic arrangements move the feet. He's definitely got a lot of ideas to explore, and little fear of exploring them. I mean... there's a ukulele on "The Honeymoon Song," for Chrissake! That's not apt to be a favorite song, but don't blame the uke, which actually creates a nice texture. It's just that radio audiences don't generally go for slow waltzes. They do, however, go for songs about the radio, especially ones they can relate to, like "AM Radio," a memory of youth spent escaping into the radio. Cover's, done well, go a long way toward selling an album, too, and Everclear's cover of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" hits the spot. And Alexakis' fascination with Beatlesque production evolves further on "Now That It's Over." A little bit of something for everyone. Everyone except those poor abandoned punks still playing "Heroin Girl" over and over.

Hey, don't blame Everclear. They already showed everyone how to do that. Not their fault that so few bands picked up the torch.

© 2000 - DJ Johnson