In The Ever

Mason Jennings

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2008)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Brushfire Records
• ASIN: B0017V7HUM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,245 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Singer/songwriter Mason Jennings is one of the best-kept secrets in pop music. He was hand-picked by music supervisor Randall Poster to perform two Dylan songs, "The Times They Are a-Changin'" and "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll," in Todd Haynes' acclaimed I'm Not There, both on the soundtrack album, and lip-synched by Christian Bale in the movie.

And now, his sixth full-length album, In the Ever, is being released on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, after the chart-topping performer personally recruited him for the label.

"I've known Jack for a long time," says the affable Jennings, who was born in Honolulu, moved with his family to Pittsburgh when he was two, then dropped out of high school at 16 to relocate to his current Twin Cities home. "We did an outdoor show together at a tiny college in Minnesota about six years ago. We toured for about two months and became good friends. He told me, if I ever wanted to record for his label, he'd love to have me. It seemed to make sense that this would be a good time to do it."

Coming off his 2006 major-label bow, Boneclouds, for Modest Mouse leader Isaac Brock's Epic-distributed Glacial Pace label, Jennings retreated to a studio in the woods, where he set himself up with a laptop and two microphones. The title comes from his son talking about where he came from before he was born, "Ya know dad, when I was in the Ever?"

"It was pretty raw, but fun, because that's how I grew up working," says Jennings about the recording process for In the Ever. "I wanted to do it quickly in a childlike way. I'd write songs in the morning, record them in the afternoon and finish them up by night."

In the Ever continues Jennings' spiritual journey, informed by his love of influences like Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash's American recordings and Led Zeppelin, his favorite band of all time. "I just wanted to make sure it's not re-enacted music," he says. "I have no use for being a retro artist. I want to understand my past and come from something, but move forward at the same time."

According to Jennings, the songs on the new album can be interpreted about an individual or the longing for God, as in the opening "Never Knew Your Name," which juxtaposes the harsh earthly aspects of the lyrics with the comfort of transcendence. "If the house is on fire/You're gonna run for the door/If the door is on fire/You're gonna kneel on the floor/You get down low/You learn to love the flame/I've been loving you forever, but I never knew your name." His music has its roots in ancient folk tales updated for the modern world.

"Every human being is put in that position," he explains, "where you must learn to love the very things that threaten you."

"Something About Your Love" could be an outtake from Neil Young's After the Gold Rush, while "I Love You and Buddha, Too," with a vocal cameo by Jack Johnson expresses Jennings' basic idea of the oneness of all religions. "I don't believe anybody is on the outside, or excluded," he says. "We're all a part of things."

"Going Back to New Orleans" segues from the tragedy of Katrina to the invasion of Iraq, with a chugging locomotive sound created by "blowing the same note on four different harmonicas at random times."

"How Deep Is That River" outlines Jennings' crisis of faith and looking for reasons to believe. "I feel kind of uneasy because I haven't found any answers," admits Mason. "Part of the journey for me is becoming more comfortable with not having the answers. That ambiguity is really hard for me." "It's been a slow growth, but extremely fun for me," he says. "For me, it's about expanding and working from a place of joy. If I can enjoy what I do, and make new art that inspires me, everything will work out for the best."

Product Description

2008 album from the American singer/songwriter and his first release on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records label. Mason Jennings is one of the best-kept secrets in Pop music. In his adopted home of Minneapolis his shows draw 3,000 fans. He was hand-picked by music supervisor Randall Poster to perform two Dylan songs in Todd Haynes' acclaimed I'm Not There, both on the soundtrack album, and lip-synched by Christian Bale in the movie. Jennings retreated to a studio in the woods, where he set himself up with a laptop and two microphones. In the Ever continues Jennings' spiritual journey, informed by his love of influences like Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash's American recordings and Led Zeppelin, his favorite band of all time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More great music from Mason, May 22, 2008

By	E. Owens "average joe" (Astoria NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am very pleased with this album. Mason Jennings is one of the few truly gifted singer songwriters that exist today. I have seen Mason in concert and up to this point I had not been able to find a few of the songs he sang live. Well two of them are on here this album, and one of them is the live version. If you have not heard his earlier stuff then you are missing out. I am not sure I would recommend this be your first Mason Jennings album. I would maybe recommend "Use Your Voice" / "Mason Jennings" / "Boneclouds" before you indulge into his other works. "Use Your Voice" is one of the best albums I have ever heard. If you are already a Mason Jennings fan then you will not be disappointed by this album. Also for those Mason newbies, Mason Jennings now has 7 full albums, the first one recorded in 1997. He just recently signed with Brushfire records, so if you are a reviewer who is going to claim that Mason is ripping off Jack Johnson, then do not bother, check the dates.

This is a great album and I am already looking forward to his next. Mason makes music the way he wants to and is not a product of the industry. All of his albums are worth owning.

Last but not least just remember "that there aint no rust on the happiness bus!!!"

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fantastic record by a gifted songwriter, May 25, 2008

By	Coffee Bean (United States) - See all my reviews

Wow. Another great addition to the Mason Jennings catalog. It's hard to compare 'In The Ever' to Mason's previous albums, just that it has its own brand of super-dooperness. Like his other albums, however, it takes a few listens to truly appreciate the subtleties, most notably Jennings' fantastic songwriting. He continues to write clever, thoughtful and succinct lyrics, and is not afraid to take risks and experiment with new styles. Mason Jennings is a rare gift to today's music.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More effortless folk pop from underrated singer/songwriter, September 9, 2008

By	B. Martin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

How does Mason Jennings do it? More specifically how does he deliver album after album of catchy, introspective, emotionally lived in folk songs that make you want to sing along even as they evoke strong emotions without ever resorting to cheap sentimentality? The answer is that he is a superbly gifted singer/songwriter who has been flying under the radar ever since his self titled debut album over a decade ago.

On his latest release, Mason once again delivers the goods. The songs are melodic and simple and can get stuck in your head for days. Lyrically, Jennings touches on themes he has visited before, love, faith, spiritual yearning and the need for human connection. He even tosses in some humor this time around with "Your New Man", a song in which he ponders how to win his ex back from her new love interest.

While this album is not as strong as his last two efforts, "Use Your Voice" and "Boneclouds", it is nevertheless an essential addition to his catalog. Jack Johnson may be surfing the wave of mainstream popularity these days, but it's Mason Jennings who, despite living in his shadow, is building a lasting and meaningful collection of popular music that will stand the test of time.