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Somewhere between jam band and blue-eyed soul (if there is still such a thing) best describes the band Everything. “Super Natural” is the groups fifth effort and its most popular, selling an impressive number of units. The title track starts off with a fast paced, guitar driven beat that belies the overall sound of the recording. This song has swift rhythms and notes that pull the listener in immediately. Hooch is the song that Everything is most famous for, with good reason. This is the catchiest and most cleaver on the album. I would imagine most buyers of the CD picked it up for this very song. Jazz infused guitar and laid back lyrics give this song a stylishly hip feel. The entire album’s sales no doubt gained momentum from being featured in “The Waterboy” of Adam Sandler fame. The Real continues on with another light jazz tune. The vocals blend with the instrumentation to produce what could be really annoying, but the song manages to save itself with well placed horn action. Lest things get too sweet the lyrics are witty and mature. Spent begins as a ballad yet saves itself with a kind of hip hop melody throughout. More are effectively layered in and the song gets a nice jam session midway through. Time Will Heal Me is one of the best songs on this CD. This is where the whole sould sound thing come into play with some updated (almost) Temptation-like vocals. It is a very quiet refrain with a combination of those melodic vocals along with quiet rhythms, and horns. Upon These Dreams is another good, solid tune that has a kicked-back ambiance with some island rhythms blended throughout. BE GONE is a good ballad that doesn’t get too sappy. The only thing that saves it is probably the good vocals. Some critics have contented that this album is so far from what Everything is that it is nothing like they usually sound. I say who cares, the band got some much deserved national attention and "Super Natural" is clearly commercial viable. The band opened for Dave Matthews Band in 1994. If you go to their website, ecolon.com (aptly named since ‘everything’ else was probably taken), you’ll see an excellent history section that epitomizes where a band can go with talent, the internet, and some imagination. |
Regressive Music Review