Customer Reviews

Evens

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

 

 

The Evens, a new band featuring Fugazi's Ian Mackaye and The Warmers' Amy Farrina, continues some of the sounds explored on the last few Fugazi albums (notably The Argument and The Instrument Soundtrack). With just guitar, drums, and vocals, The Evens create an engaging sound that can be spooky, emotional, ethereal, catchy, and hard driving, led by Mackaye's heavily rhythmic guitar work and Farrina's distinctive drumming. It's the powerful rhythms that separate The Evens from all the moody, downbeat, indie-folk acts out there today. Songs like the excellent "All These Governors" and "You Won't Feel A Thing" could actually be Fugazi songs if you only added some distortion, barking, and Guy Picciotto making funny noises in the background. The singing here is mostly restrained, with Farrina and Mackaye sharing vocal duties and often singing in unison for an atmospheric effect. This works beautifully on quiet numbers like "Sara Lee" and "On The Face Of It," which appears in a slightly different (and better) version than it did on the Protest Records compilation. Many, though not all, of The Evens' lyrics are political in nature and make numerous references to the D.C. area. It's nice to hear them keeping the Dischord feel alive and not being afraid to write politically charged songs when hardly any other similar bands are doing that anymore. But then again, The Evens aren't your average hip indie act. Who would have thought a couple of middle-aged people from D.C. could make an album that rocks harder, better, and with more meaning than pretty much anything else out there and getting rave reviews from Pitchfork and Spin.

The Evens are Ian Mackaye, formerly of Fugazi, and Amy Farina, of the Warmers.

Together, they're like a stripped-down, slightly more dreamy version of Low. But even better than Low. Now, Fugazi was great, but I have to say, the music on this album can actually be described as "beautiful" -- not an adjective often used in Fugazi reviews.

Listen to "Blessed not lucky" and you'll see what I mean. And on songs like "Mt. Pleasant isn't", you'll happily hear that Ian Mackaye hasn't lost any of his edge.

The person who wrote that The Evens are post-post-punk is totally right. Thankfully, we're beyond irony and into something really exciting. And maybe The Evens will lead the way.

I just got this CD in the mail today after ordering it the day it became available and with it being a Dischord release it was ultra cheap. I've listened to the album once and already really like it!
Since Amazon doesn't have any information up for this group yet, I just wanted to say that that The Evens are a new duo made up of Ian Mackaye of Fugazi fame on guitar and Amy Farina, who was in The Warmers, on drums and if you're a fan of the Dischord scene, this record should be right up your alley.
They both sing about equal amounts here and the music is very melodic with multiple singing parts. Although the album is true to the D.C. scene's hardcore roots, it's not a hardcore record. It's sort of `hardcore unplugged' and is reminiscent of some of the quieter moments on Fugazi's latest effort, The Argument.
If you've ever heard Mackaye sing "I'm so Tired" from the Instrument movie and wondered if you'd ever get to hear him doing more stripped down type stuff, this is the record to check out...although it's not a piano record.

I read a review for this album where it was described as post- post-punk, a label which very accurately describes this album. Don't buy this album expecting the frenzied attack of MacKaye's earlier projects, listen instead for the quiet tension. Fugazi's amazing strength came not through its intensity, but rather through its subtle, compelling melodies. This album is a logical extension of this approach beyond the limits of post-hardcore. Just listen to what can be done with the three notes of "On the Face of It." There is still intensity here, but it is more along the lines of Fugazi's Instrument Soundtrack. Mackaye's baratone gutair and Farina's druming clash in a near-perfect interplay as they share the burden of the album's melody. The vocal duties are split up fairly evenly, making certain that this is definately not an Ian Makaye solo project. Ian's voice is suprisingly melodic and effective, and Farina's has a suprising edge that is regrettably absent in many female vocalists. This album might effectively signal a new stage in the continuous development of punk that MacKaye has been at the forefront of for his entire career. And it is definately time for some change.

When they first started making music, Rites of Spring and Fugazi were innovative and unique. After 15(ish) years, however, the imitators have multiplied. Fugazi turned quieter on their last record, 2001's The Argument, continuing to tread new ground.

Ian MacKaye and Amy Farina's new project, The Evens, strip down the Dischord brand of punk to its barest elements, and extend beyond the sound to boot. MacKaye shows that he can sing tunefully and then some. Farina's drumming shows how important and interesting drums can be in a rock setting. The only downside of this record is the occasional quiet, introspective tune, that doesn't quite hit the mark (see Sara Lee...). But, overall, this is well worth the ten dollar investment. Check out Around the Corner for a standout track...

i've read a few bad reviews of this album, and i cannot understand why. everyone who heard about this automatically expected a fugazi/warmers soundalike. if they had done that, i actually would have been dissapointed in it. i enjoy that they simply made the record they wanted to make.
the minimalist approach in the music is unique for dischord and the lyrics on this album are unbelievable. i really hope i get a chance to see this band live.

I've been into Fugazi for years because of there dedication to punks DIY ethic as well as there remarkably singular sound, but the Evens are something that I never unexpected. MacKaye takes a break from Fugazi and makes an album that is just as heavy as any Fugazi album but this time its heavy without the volume. The album sounds like elliott smith meets the white stripes, but without the country edge and somewhat like some of the spacier tunes on The Aurgument. The fact of the matter is is that this record is mind blowing and intense, VERY intense. My favorite song is Mt. Pleasant Isn't but all the songs are great. I hadnt heard of the Warmers, but I like the girls voice and she lays down some stead beats. I think the album is great and MacKayes voice very different from his days in Minor Threat. Almost, dare I say it, fragile?!

Let me commence by saying that Fugazi is my favorite all time group. Now one of the key reasons this is true is their feel for sound structure and drum beats. It's the little things that make thier songs great. The same thing is present here, in a different package, but very interesting drums, with mellower songwriting from Mr MacKaye, and although I'm not familiar with the Warmers, and not entirely in love with her voice, it's not as (annoying) as others have portrayed it to be. My favorite tracks are Blessed not Lucky and Around the Corner. Nice album, worth 3 1/2 stars.

If you want to hear Fugazi, listen to Fugazi, not this. Why why why cannot people think outside of the box when they listen to a project of a musician formerly of another band?? Ian Mackaye is no longer in Fugazi, so don't expect to hear Fugazi!!! God, I can't believe I'm even mentioning Fugazi (not that they're not worth mentioning). But I'm reviewing an Evens album!
I love this album! I only had it a month when they came through town and I'm so glad I went. It was such a fun show and personal and I swear to you, Ian made us sing along. I love the simplicity of their music, coupled with intelligent lyrics. "They'll tell you everything but they won't tell you anything." That's such a simple statement but it can say a hundred things. It makes me think of televangelists. Anyway, this music is very listenable. If you're a Fugazi fan (I assume most people looking into this album are) but willing to hear something different you may enjoy this.

A lot of bands coming out now are big and bloated and doing the same thing. That is why its refreshing to hear something new: a powerful sound from a duo. The vocals are riveting, the guitar intricate in some parts, cutting in others and I never knew you could get so many different sounds from a drum. A great effort!