Jordan Everett Associates album review in Motif
Jordan Everett Associates – Self-Titled Album
Jordan Everett Associates is a songwriting collaboration between two longtime forces in these parts in Kraig Jordan (The Masons, Stan Sobczak, Junior Varsity Arson, Lloyd’s Lamas) and Paul “Pip” Everett (Coat of Arms, Blizzard of ‘78, Hope Anchor, Everett Brothers Moving Company). The songs were written over a 2-year period at Jordan’s Plan of a Boy studio. The result is a sometimes dark exploration of 21st century life that works in a gamut of influences. “Stuck In The Driveway” is a meditative take on life over a backdrop of moody post-modern folk. The boys kick it up a notch on “Deep Blue Goodbye,” which has a new wave flavor. “Poison” reminds me of rowdy late-’70s power-pop in the vein of The Jam or Elvis Costello. “Never Letting Go” and the ridiculously infectious “The House Up On The Hill” remind me of late ‘80s alternative rock radio similar to bands like The Church and Love and Rockets. They throw in a couple of covers including a spacey ballad take reminiscent of late ‘90s Radiohead or The Family Band’s “Moonbeams.” They also do a stripped-down ethereal cover of Belly’s “Super Connected.” I don’t think it got nominated, but this record was on my nomination ballot for Album of the Year in the Motif Awards. It deserves to be up for consideration because it was one of the best albums to come across my desk from anywhere in the past year. I am stoked that Jordan and Everett are going to be playing the record out live. Well, at least once. For the show they’ve assembled a top-notch band that in addition to Everett on vocals and Jordan on guitar includes Dan Ulmschneider on drums, Kevin Zahm on bass and Bob Kendall on keyboards.