Customer Reviews

Dreams

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My sister who lives in Australia told me to check out these guys awhile ago. Apperantly they are massive in Australia but I had never heard of them. A couple weeks ago Amazon.com sent me an email alerting me that the album was on sale this week and I pre-ordered (thanks Amazon). I love "It's Too Late" and made it the profile song for my Myspace page. Imagine Pink Floyd crossed with The Secret Machines crossed with Muse. There are a bit too many acoustic guitars sometimes but that is just my opinion. I highly recommend it.

At first listen I didn't really know what to make out of these guys. There is a weird intro that threw me off. But now I realize that it really sets the mood for the whole album. They have some really incredible songs. The album flows and one song is as good as the next. It really is an album as opposed to a few singles. I friend recommended them to me because I love Radiohead. Although they have some similarities I wouldn't really compare the two. I think I like Evermore more!

This debut album from Evermore is truly like a dream from start to finish and some of the most beautiful and unique music I have ever listened to. I think that the only reason that this band has not exploded in the U.S. is because they are from New Zealand. The band Evermore is composed of the three Hume brothers, ages 17,19, and 21. Jon, the eldest is lead guitarist and vocals; the middle brother Peter plays Bass and Keyboards; and the youngest brother Dann plays drums. Although the band is still very young, when you listen to the music it sounds like they have been playing together for quite some time.

1. Dreaming Pt. 1- This one is a purely instrumental track which is very pretty and surreal sounding. I really like the rain in the background to start off the song. 8.5/10
2. It's Too Late- This one is very very good. It starts off with a distorted electirc guitar and then the drums and singer kick in with almost perfect timing. One of my favorites. 9.5/10
3. This Unavoidable Thing Between Us- The vocals are very haunting in this one as the singer talks of "an unavoidable thing which draws him closer to this girl". Another great song from this incredible band. 9/10
4. For One Day- Wow. This is my second favorite song on the album. The acoustic guitar in this song is amazing. I can listen to this one over and over. 10/10
5. Dreaming Pt. 2- The second part of the dreaming songs. Unlike Dreaming Pt. 1, this one is not instrumental and has singing. The only problem I have with this song is that it's not long enough. 7/10
6. Are You Satisfied???- I am most definitely satisfied with this song. I love the "Whoa's" in this one. 9/10
7. Come to Nothing- Kind of Radiohead-sounding, I like this one, but it feels like it is missing something. 7.5/10
8. Dreams Call Out to Me- My favorite song hands down. Maybe one of my most favorite songs ever. Can't really describe this one, just listen and be amazed. 11/10
9. Without Your Smile- A very pretty song with nice harmonies among the singers. A slower song that is really great. 9/10
10. Into the Ocean (Calling You)- This is where I feel the album begins to drop off some, not much, just some. Into the Ocean is a good song, but definitely not as good as the earlier songs on the album. 7/10
11. Know It's True- The longest song of the album is a decent song. Kind of drags on at the end though. 7/10
12. Sunshine- The standout track of the last 4 songs. Pretty acoustic guitars with the lead singer showcasing his vocal range. 8.5/10
13. Everyone (Moving On)- The closer is another really long song which just lacks the cohesiveness and flow that the beginning of the album possessed. I've heard much worse closers though. 6.5/10

Overall Rating: 8.4/10, 4 Stars

Although the fist half of the album overshadows the end, Evermore greatly impresses me with this debut and I am definitely looking forward to future releases of this band. Maybe one day, they will get the airplay they so greatly deserve in the United States.

Look as well as listen. Dreams lyrics are rich in visual imagery, truly making this a dream album.
Each track dovetails to the next, giving the collection a unified, narrative effect.

Stunning debut album, made even more so when you realise this 3 piece band of brothers are aged 20, 18 and 16 and come from a very small town in the far North of New Zealand. Every track on the CD is superb, with terrific melodies, their trademark high-pitch electronic piano mixed in with driving guitars.

My taste in music falls mostly into the contemporary indie second-wave britpop area - bands like Coldplay, Radiohead, Haven, Embrace, Thirteen Senses, Athlete, Badly Drawn Boy, Bloc Party, Bravery, Doves, Elbow, Eskobar, Franz Ferdinand, Idlewild, Interpol, Kaiser Chiefs, Kasabian, Keane, Killers, Leaves, Longview, Longwave, Lowgold, Muse, Ours, Paloalto, Razorlight, Saybia, Snow Patrol, South, Stills, Travis, Veils... and Evermore Dreams is now in my top 10.

If this band were from Manchester, or New York, they would be on the front pages of the music press with sales to match. Perhaps their OC exposure ("It's Too Late" which is on this CD) will help give them the attention they so richly deserve.

Evermore is unlike any band. They have a unique vision and talent for writing songs that are musically uplifting yet introspective(deep in thought) at the same time.
The songs on this track are Chilled~relaxed tunes. Calm but catchy instrumental music. 'It's Too Late' Track #2 , you may recognise from the advert for The O.C. This track is my favourite followed by 'For One Day'
~definitely worth listening too!~

Tracklist:
1. dreaming... pt.1 *2:10
2. It's Too Late *3:55
3. This Unavoidable Thing Between Us *5:02
4. For One Day *4:10
5. dreaming... pt.2 *1:55
6. Are You Satisfied??? *4:19
7. Come To Nothing *4:06
8. Dreams Call Out To Me *4:33
9. Without Your Smile *3:51
10. Into The Ocean (Calling You) *5:11
11. Know It's True *6:02
12. Sunshine *2:39
13. Everyone (Moving On) *5:22

*Track time in minutes

Check out their website:
www.evermoreband.com

I discovered this little gem through the burgeoning industry of online music and liked a few of the songs so much that I had to rush out to Amazon to spend my consumer dollars wisely. And wise it was dear listeners. It seems like some really good music gets made down under...New Zealand that is mate. Evermore consists of three brothers from that island country south of the equator. And get this...they were all aged 17-21 when making this album "Dreams." Wow! That's some serious music writing and making chops for such a tender young age.

As far as the sound goes, let me see who to compare it to. Comparisons for music get made to help other categorize music. Beware though when too many comparisons get made as the artist may just be derivative through imitation and not wholly and uniquely original. I'm not sure that is the case with Evermore but they do have a well produced sound that does sound distinctly like a few other bands. Imagine if you will a cocktail party where the drinks float free, tongues loosened, talk ensues. Bono and the Edge start talking with Chris Martin from Coldplay. And what do you know Matthew Bellamy from the UK's pop super group Muse join in the conversation. They all get 10 sheets to the wind wasted and start jamming. They have awesome material and awesome songs but low and behold before they cut it to CD...they find some youngsters from New Zealand, Evermore, are already doing what they just created...only better. There that's the Evermore sound on "Dreams."

The standout tracks here are "For One Day," "Everyone Moving On," and "Are You Satisfied?" "Everyone Moving On," in fact is a phenomenal song that should be blazing up the airwaves the world over, getting downloaded at incredible rates. If there is a downside to the album I guess its that the sound comes off a little too polished in places and tends towards the appeal of the 30-something soccer mom crowd. But hey...popularity isn't a bad thing. Those soccer moms need some tunes to jam to as they are driving their Chevy Suburbans around. You know something to drown out the screaming young ones in the back. It's better than the Rolling Stones method of "Mother's Little Helper," after all.

Get Evermore's "Dreams," from Amazon. You won't regret it. --MMW

This album has a theme to it, a dreamy feel which at first listen every song sounds the same, but the more you listen to it, the more the songs grow on you and you will never get the Evermore sound out of your head. They have a very unique sound, unlike any other band in the world at the moment. As soon as you hear their songs on the radio you know it is them straight away. This is not a bad thing however. These guys have been around music their whole lives, being raised and home schooled on a farm in Fielding, New Zealand, qrowing up listening to their parents records of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd Bob Dylan and The kinks, you can also hear later influences such as Coldplay, Radiohead and Muse splashed throughout their music as well. They have a very spacious sound and the album has an atmospheric feel to it. This band of brothers are going to enjoy much more success in years to come, with every album they are going to get better and better, but its hard to see how they can follow up such a brilliant debut effort. I am proud to have had the chance to have seen them live and they are excellent, I can't wait to see them again. Also worth getting hold of their singles as the B-sides they release are just as good as their LP tracks.

Truly stunning, Evermore has done a fantastic job with this release. It ranges from the well-known "Too Late" to the more contemplative "This Unavoidable Thing Between Us", to the compelling and dynamic "Into The Ocean". They've really covered all fields with some tracks rocking out and some inspiring thought. All in all, this album is truly beautiful and has all the potential for masterpieces in the future.

Evermore has an indie rock sound with intrumentals such as violins to add dramatic quality. Despite the tracks you might have heard on tellie or the radio being "hell awesome" there are so many other great ones on this album, you'd be a fool not to buy it. FOOL!
If you're an indie rock junkie, or you like bands such as Coldplay or Athlete. Just get it aye. Nah it's good aye.

As an avid collector of music from many genres and without a predujice for style or nationality it amazes me that this recording remains essentially unreviewed and undiscovered.The clarity of direction ,the originality and the overall content of this release is to be applauded internationally.It is scary to think that this group originates from a small town in New Zealand and that outside of a dedicated local following are essentially unknown.What else are we missing out there?