Customer Reviews

Evolver

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first discovered the Kennedys (a duo of husband/wife Pete and Maura Kennedy) by taking a chance on a CD I read Peter Holsapple of the dB's played on (their 2nd, "Life Is Large"). Sometimes you get lucky - it didn't leave my CD player for months. The hooks had hooks! Their next album was much more of a traditional folk outing, but on Evolver they return to pop-rock fleshed out with a full band and a new batch of some of the must hummable songs since the first Katrina and the Waves lp. If you're a fan of this stuff I'd definitely recommend taking a chance on this - more likely than not you'll be wanting to hear their back catalog.

It's impossible not to fall head over heels for Maura and Pete Kennedy. Maura is as sweet as cotton candy. In the cute and adorable category, Maura's voice rates with that of Nancy Griffith and Dar Williams. Every line is flirtatious.

Pete has taken the best traits of Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), and wove them into one dazzling blend of ringing-jangling acoustic and electric guitars. I doubt that Pete Kennedy has only 10 fingers. His technique is so intricate that he must have 3 hands. With the greatest respect for Roger McGuinn, the12-string Rickenbacker has never sounded more delightful (Can't Kill Hope With A Gun). `Good Morning Groovy' is filled with shining synthesizers. Maura's charming voice is most effective on the touching ballad `Never Learn.' And the cover of Gene Clark's (The Byrds) `Here Without You' is painfully nostalgic. The rocker on Evolver is `Free' - Pete cuts loose on the drum kit.

Evolver is cheerful and uplifting (Put Your Mind). A 48-minute breath of fresh air. Get happy, get the Kennedys, get Evolver.

The Kennedys (no relation) are the best thing happening in folk-rock today, and "evolver" marks a welcome shift to the rock end of the spectrum after Angel Fire's coffee house folk. All of the trademark elements are here: Maura's distinctive, remarkably clear vocals and Pete's virtuoso guitar work. This time the arrangements are much fuller; they've been rounded out with synths, drums and even loops (!). The result is a consistent, hook-filled album on par with "Life is Large". The sunny approach may not be for the cynic. But if you revere the Byrds more than the Stones -- or just need a fix of 12-string -- this album's for you.

Pete and Maura Kennedy, the King and Queen of OP POP (Optimistic Pop), have gifted us with their best music ever. Maura Kennedy has risen into the hallowed halls inhabited by only the best lyricists of the day. Pete Kennedy can present music of any genre and simply transport the listener to a state of musical bliss. "Can't Kill Hope With a Gun" could and should become this generation's "Get Together." If "Good Morning Groovy" and "The Girl With the Blonde Eye" don't make it onto the next Austin Powers soundtrack someone surely has stolen Austin's mojo. Intelligent music that can place a smile on your face and make you feel good - what a deal! From the celtic images of "River of Dreams" to the dynamic pop-flavored "Life is Large" and on to uplifting lyricism of "Angel Fire," the Kennedys have indeed evolved into one of the best duos actively playing music today. Buy this and each of their other CDs and we'll all share a common bond.

One of my favorite favorites of the early two-thousands and my favorite by them. Breaking out of the folk thing is always good, perhaps Evolving. Just because Tradition is a Tradition doesn't mean you have to die there. Even the Dillards had to contemporary up. And they did great. So fourteen tracks. All cool. Groovy even. All the guitars are impeccable, great vocals; the whole thing has a great attitude. Even includes a Gene Clark tune. That's with it. So be happier than you are and buy it.

Evolver is a good title, as on this album they move from the hook-laden folk/rock of their early efforts into Beatlesque power pop. This is a pop album, with more production, some added synths and even a little fuzz and distortion in spots. It's the best pop album I've heard since Utopia Parkway by Fountains of Wayne.

This CD was available for checkout at my local library. I had never heard of the Kennedys before and I liked it with the first play. I can't believe songs from this album have not been played on the radio. Much better than the stuff we usually hear. Great harmonies, great guitar, great synthesizer, etc. I really like tracks 3, 7, 10, and 13. The sound quality is also superb. After playing it, two of my friends and my brother also bought the CD. Well done. I'm a fan.

This is a great CD if you are after a light,hook- filled uplifting experience. It's pop at its best!

Better than most of the music currently being made, but over-produced compared to their earlier recordings. Why screw up a good thing? Please 'devolve'.