Get Evens

The Evens | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dischord
• ASIN: B000J234C0
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,441 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Evens are a band from Washington, D.C. Ian MacKaye (Fugazi) plays baritone guitar and Amy Farina (The Warmers) plays drums. They both sing. Their debut album was recorded at Inner Ear Studios in the summer of 2004 and released in March 2005. The Evens Get Evens, the band`s second full-length release, was entirely self recorded in the basement of the Dischord House in the summer of 2006. The album was then mixed at Inner Ear Studios.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars disappointed, August 17, 2007

By 

Dan Manning "(mostly independent) music fan" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Get Evens (Audio CD)

As a longtime fan of pretty much every single band in which Ian MacKaye has been a participant, I found this album disappointing. MacKaye has always had a knack for surrounding himself with other great minds and musicians, and Amy Farina is no exception. Her drum work in her former band the Warmers, as well as a stint with Ted Leo, shows her to be an inventive and very distinctive drummer. The first Evens record, though, really showcased Amy's skills as we got to hear her vocals in the forefront. She is the not so secret weapon of this band.

Suffice to say, from the first record and several live appearances, I'm an Evens fan.

So it pains me even more to admit that I don't really like this record very much. The overall message of the lyrics still has great worth, but the actual word choices in the lyrics are often poor, lacking the subtlety and intelligence of the first record. Yes, the Evens may be more in line with a folk vibe than anything either of these two musicians has done before, and yes, lyrics in true folk music may need to be more direct, but so many of the words on this album are just saying things predictably, instead of finding newer and more beautiful ways to express the same emotions and frustrations.

The music is still solid, but none of the songs stand out as better than anything on the first album, or for the most part, even close to the first record.

Case in point, compare the beautifully metaphorical "If It's Water" from the self-titled album to the more forced approach of "Everybody Knows" or "Dinner With the President." Songs from the first record will be relevant and vital 20 years from now. The songs on this second album won't resonate as much even in 5 years from now, because the lyrics are so directly tied to what an awful president Bush has been. I certainly agree with the sentiment, but I just wish the album would have broader and longer lasting implications.

I will still go to their shows, I'll still by their third album, but overall, I unfortunately found this Evens album a bit boring and sub-par for an otherwise great band.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great buy, January 9, 2007

By 

Vanessa J. King (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Get Evens (Audio CD)

I've only recently discovered the evens in a live performance in chicago. Taken out of context they might seem to be a typical indie group. but, really they're more than that. do your research and you'll see why!
This second cd is much more direct in message and has harder sounds than their first. but tunes are catchy and i enjoy the entire thing, not just one or two songs. worth every penny.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everyone knows you are a liar..., November 13, 2006

By 

Joshua Alexander "jsnow2" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Get Evens (Audio CD)

This album couldn't have come out at a better time. This album reflects the mounting frustration many of us feel with the current administration and it's policies. The evens put together an album with fantastic lyrics, with the perfect background of speedy acoustic guitar and perfectly timed percussion. This is a slight upgrade over the first evens album, which while also very good, is not as cohesive as Get Evens. Very catchy. Not for the closed minded or probably those that lean to the far right.