Rochester, Indiana’s Brent Evans writes clean,
tuneful and satisfying songs that adroitly manage to fill in the gaps between
country, country rock and down-to-earth pop. His road-seasoned chops and
professionalism are put to good use on this, his latest long player. It doesn’t
hurt that the songsmith is also the owner of Rochester’s 4th Street Studio,
where he recorded the disc with production and musical help from Larry
DeVincent and an impressive cast of talented players and singers. “Doretta,” the album’s opener, sets the
tone with a driving country-rock beat and clear, upfront vocals from Evans.
This song is a fine endorsement for his studio every instrument is
well-placed and crystalline here. The song steps up to a massed chorus vocal,
bringing to mind a nice Eagles/Son Volt combination of polished and rootsy. The
quality of songwriting and production is consistent throughout the album, but
Evans wisely paces the disc with varying tempos and moods, pairing songs such
as the alternately brooding and anthemic “Tears Won’t Help You Now”
with “My Perfect Imperfection,” a rollicking ode to a one-of-a-kind
gal.
The pumping Who-like intro to “If Love
Doesn’t Know” melts into a Moody Blues vibe, followed by the album’s title
track and emotional centerpiece. Evans could have overdone the song and steered
it into schmaltz, but he masterfully manages to embroider a bed of rustic
acoustic guitar and harmonica with lyrics that are uplifting, unvarnished and
unabashedly positive.
Gears shift again with “Miss
Communication,” a funny and clever laid back treatise on the whole
man/woman dynamic thing that would make Jimmy Buffett proud. Evans also
highlights his pliable but earthy vocals on the layered and nuanced
“Mystery Girl” and the country slow-dance of “Cheated Myself Out
of Love.”
The disc is a treat to listen to. Each song is tailored
with well chosen instrumentation and spot-on vocal harmonies. Evans
accomplishes here what most local (or regional, or national) singer-songwriters
aspire to: he shapes the music to evoke the emotion every song is trying to
convey. An entire album of such quality is an unexpected pleasure.