February 11, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Quiet yet intense

Three stars

by Marc Burkhardt

Watching "American Idol," it's striking to note the mind-numbing sameness of each would-be Justin Timberlake or Mariah Carey who appears before the judges.

They sing the same songs (usually a Stevie Wonder or Whitney Houston chestnut), dress the same way (the latest in teen pop couture) and want the same thing (world domination).

With this cookie-cutter approach to artistry dominating every genre of popular music these days, it's a good thing musicians like Ian MacKaye stand ready to throw a lifeline to listeners drowning in mediocrity.

A founding member of such punk legends as Minor Threat and Fugazi, MacKaye has always preferred to do business his way, whether it means advocating a drug-free lifestyle, starting up his own record label or keeping the prices down on CDs and concert tickets.

With Fugazi on hiatus, MacKaye's newest project is The Evens, a quieter -- but no less intense -- effort with Amy Farina, former drummer of the obscure but well-regarded Warmers.

Although the music contains elements of folk, it is not that easy to categorize. MacKaye's voice blends with Farina in a manner somewhat reminiscent of John Doe and Exene Cervenka's vocal copulation in X. MacKaye and Farina do not accompany one another so much as meld together, creating a unified voice for the songs' often political lyrics.

Musically, the guitars chug along like classic Velvet Underground without falling into the trap of rewriting Lou Reed's "Pale Blue Eyes" ad nauseam, a curse that has afflicted many indie bands in the past 25 years. Highlights include the charged "All These Governors," which features memorable drumming from Farina and the inspirational couplet, "Shut up! Shut up! Shut Up!"; the placid "Sara Lee," which may or may not refer to the post-punk bassist who graced several Gang of Four, Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco albums; and "You Won't Feel A Thing," a good, swift kick in the gonads to society's state of complacency.

Most surprising -- to fans of Fugazi's jagged song structures at least -- are the memorable and relatively straightforward melodies, which ensure close listening for each and every minute of the CD. Although subtle enough for background music, The Evens' songs float to the forefront of your consciousness in very little time.

The Evens are definitely recommended to those curious about MacKaye's past works but who have little interest in punk rock. For the rest of us, it is yet another fine entry from a man who has made a career out of doing it his way.

Managing Editor Marc Burkhardt can be e-mailed at mburkhardt@paweekly.com.

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