Everett Proves Listen Worthy

 Jacob Tucker, feature editor

Jace Everett has played venues around the world and has tried to install his love of music in others while trying to keep his personal life in line.

Everett has fallen on hard times a lot during the past, but with the release of his debut, self-titled album, things are starting to look up.

His first single, “Bad Things,” is definitely something that you do not hear every day.  It begins like a gritty, roadhouse song that makes you want to tap your foot along with the beat.

The song is about a guy who sees a beautiful bombshell walk into the bar, and immediately he begins to fantasize about doing bad things to the woman, hence the name of the song.  The man instantly has a strong, physical desire to get with this woman, and he reiterates this desire continuously in the song.

This single has been listed as an iTunes “Download of the Week,” and registered more than 200,000 downloads.  Everett was the first country artist to have a debut single designated as the “Download of the Week.”

The record's theme, according to Everett, is the struggle between raising hell and repenting.  It definitely has the current sound of Nashville, but it also brings its own sound to the country music scene.  The songs featured on the album are reminiscent of the 'days of old' in country music.  They talk about mistakes that people make, wanting women you can't get, or keeping the woman you have.  The songs are written very well with verses flowing very well together. 

Each song on this album relates to Everett's life in some way.  He even closes with an actual biography of his life.  Everett uses quite a bit of steel guitar and piano, but that is partially what gives this artist a new, yet old, sound. 

This album has received amazing exposure from television, Internet, and international tours.  Everett appeared on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno in January.  He also was part of the Internet program Session at AOL, which is highly rare for an emerging artist.  He recently was chosen to represent the Country Music Association on the “New From Nashville” tour in Europe.

Everett said he has always thought that country music has always been an honest profession, and he believes that this album is no different.

“This is all real stuff,” said Everett.  “There is no bull on this record.”

I really enjoyed this CD.  It has many songs on it that definitely relate to the listener.  Everett does well at chronicling human emotions, and he attempts to tell people through his music that mistakes, shortcomings, and obsessions are natural things for which you shouldn't be ashamed. 

I rate this CD 4 out of 5 stars.  I normally would not rate something this high, but I feel that is music is very honest, and very easy to process.  For more information on Everett, visit www.jaceeverett.com or the Sony Nashville site at www.sonynashville.com.