Review: The Evens, “Get Evens”
I first saw the Evens two years ago at Fort Reno, guitarist/singer Ian MacKaye surrounded by a phalanx of toddler admirers who first learned of the band via their performance of “Vowel Movement” on D.C. indie kids’ show Pancake Mountain. He looked like Ghandi. Ironic, it seemed, that a guy who became a voice for an entire generation of punks and indie rockers was now so beloved by children. My girls are still a bit too young for Pancake Mountain, but I suspect “Vowel Movement” and the Evens will be a big hit with them. When Ian took the stage with drummer Amy Farina (The Warmers), it was clear that the pair were having a lot more fun as The Evens than in their past bands. It was nice to see Ian seem to enjoy himself.
The Evens self-title debut disappointed after the excitement and energy of the Fort Reno show. I found the songs — spare guitar/drum compositions with a pop bent, sort of Fugazi meets the Spinnanes — to be okay, but not great. It received a few listens, and then I forgot about it.
Not so with the follow-up. The songs are more energetic, solid and demand multiple listens. Perhaps this stems from their similarity to Ian’s work with Fugazi. I keep finding myself listening to the first song, “Cut from the Cloth,” over and over again. This is always a good sign for a record’s longevity.
Fugazi may be in limbo forever, but Ian is putting out some of his best work in years with the Evens. His extraordinary chemistry with Amy Farina and the overwhelming enthusiasm they have for their music only helps to make this his best record since Fugazi’s “Red Medicine.”
Highly Recommended.
Indie Rock | jeff | 21 November 2006 |
