Another group often compared to Sloan, Even has been one of my favorite power pop bands from Australia. Even brings the most consistent Ziggy Stardust meets Badfinger vibe ever on their fifth self-titled album. You gotta love the harmonic chorus and multi-tracked guitar on “I am the Light” which marches with drummer Matthew Cotter’s steady beat. Over two years in the making, the manic guitar of Ashley Naylor struts like mix of T.Rex and Ian Hunter on the excellent “I Walk On.” The sparkling blues guitar follows on “Superstition Blues” and reminds one of a Stevie Ray Vaughn or Bo Diddley tune. The albums themes are of personal resilience and determination in the face of long odds. A bit of Jimi Hendrix-styled funk shows up on the sweet sounding “Which Way To Run” – and these guys could school Lenny Kravitz on how to get back to his roots. “The Fool Who Made You Sad” is a “woe-is-me” country drinking ballad that has effective steel pedal guitar and lazy shuffling beat. A few tracks endulge in long extended solo breaks (“Tangled Up” and “The Pinnacle”) that can get tiresome if you’re not into the melody. More so than fellow Aussie’s “You Am I” Even is unashamedly emulating the lates 60’s and early 70’s hard rock era, but it’s not all wild riffs and jams. The excellent Stones meets Allman Brothers of “Tangled Up” is a example of what makes Even great- Naylor makes sure the song structures all have great hooks and engaging lyrics. In “Keep on Burning” he states the bands motto, “I am a small, small fire but I keep on burning.” As long as we hear music like this, power pop will never die. If you’ve never heard Even before, this is a good place to start.
The Even site | My Space | Itunes
Listen to the first single “I am The Light”