Nevertheless
Nevertheless hail from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and their debut album Live Like We’re Alive reminded this reviewer strongly of a lighter Anberlin, a less-melodic Mae, a more lyrically generic Dashboard Confessional and less experimental Edison Glass. When a group’s sound can be compared so many artists at their weakest, then one can only hope the music improves over time. In the case of this sophomore effort, disappointment is sure to be imminent. It serves neither as a guilty pleasure (such as Remedy Drive or This Beautiful Republic—both of which aren’t musically unique but fun enough to induce temporary memory loss) or even a decent promise for a great future.
These boys are as generic as they come. If Relient K set the standard for toothless pop/rock in the Christian industry, then Nevertheless are their even-more-awkward kid brother. While Matt Thiessen and company have only written two or three strong tracks in their career (and I do expect some hate mail for this statement)—among which were “Deathbed,” “Be My Escape” (which was generic, but had a great hook), and “Sadie Hawkins Dance” (oh, Oh!, OH!)—Nevertheless steal directly from their counterparts with similarly constructed almost-winners that dissolve in a flurry of impotent guitar licks and drum parts that take the “punk” out of “pop punk.” Think Fall Out Boy, if they were even more irritatingly self-deprecating.
Pop is a fantastic genre—open to many differently-interpreted iterations, from Journey (”just a small-town girl…”) to The Police (”eeh-ohh!”) and Coldplay (”closing walls and ticking clocks”). What I’m trying to say is, Nevertheless aren’t that great, not because they are pop, but because their inflections are fairly commonplace. Lyrically, I found nothing to make me want to clap—or even simply keep listening. Esterlyn and Katie Herzig are both great examples of brilliant simplicity, and in the case of the former, their lead vocalist is nothing revolutionary and even still they manage to pull off a distinctive pop album experience.
In music, no one is innocent until proven guilty—particularly considering the volley of pitiful bands who manage to pull off absolutely nothing in an entire career in the Christian industry. Nevertheless fail to take their accusers’ eyes off of them. Case in point: the piano. Piano can be a beautiful addition to any band’s line-up. Nevertheless, unfortunately, crack it out too often in hopes of sounding vulnerable, and when the lyricism isn’t up to par, the whole album suffers—piano or none.
“But you are not ok, with all of that weight, you need to give up,” they cry on “Rest,” which is a perfect example of the tone in what’s supposed to be a serious album. The attempt is admirable, it really is. Let me say that clearly before any readers make the assumption that I’m simply trying to brush off these guys’ art. The industry is begging for more serious material—but this isn’t it. To simply talk about unhappiness is to do what Christian musicians and writers have been doing for centuries, and in response to that I have to say: we know already! Without God, we’re nothing. Unfortunately, the lyrics here are in the same vein of previous artists who failed to plumb the depths of sorrow before ascribing a simple cure to it.
Bottom line, nothing here is horrifically bad—but by neither being memorably terrible nor uniquely creative, I cannot recommend a purchase like this. The attempt is admirable, but not cash-worthy.
John Wofford is a free-lance writer and professional tutor who lives in the foothills of Georgia.
Tuesday Sep 16th, 2008 • View all posts by John Wofford • View all posts in Album Reviews
↓ 13 comments
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No.
It does not resonate.
Hey, Thane.
Care to share why?
Yeah, I like Nevertheless and I think they’re awesome but you were spot on about the all too frequent use of the piano. They’re an evolving band but after the fourth “slower” track, I was missing some of the sound of Live Like We’re Alive.
The messege they’re trying to portray is deep but it sounded like they were trying to put all these complicated words in the songs themselves and it just wasn’t working in parts. It has potential and I’ll be listening to it more, so hopefully it’ll grow on me.
By trashing Relient K you have proved that your opinions are not consistent with the majority of music listeners…your recommendation on in the making is disappointing
Tim,
You make an interesting point– Relient K is highly popular with their target demographic. This, however, doesn’t prove that the “majority of music listeners” are fans of nor even approve the musical stylings of Relient K.
There are too many genres of music and far too many audiences to simply say that because Relient K has generated respectable album sales, my understanding of them and my other music criticisms are skewed.
It’s simply irrelevant that people buy their CDs, when hundreds of bands sale just as many albums and are favored over the truely great artists that are often ignored.
In short, you cannot prove that I am inconsistent with the opinions of “the majority,” only that I diagree with one, very specific demographic. Additionally, none of THAT can prove that my criticism of IN THE MAKING is unfounded. The truth is, the album just isn’t very interesting, and that is neither my fault, nor Relient K’s.
Hope you understand.
I completly disagree with this. I love this new sound they have going, and the whole album in general. It’s no secret is a beautiful song, that touches my heart, and stripping it down to just guitar provides a raw vulnerability that works very well for that particular song. Rest and When I’m Alone make me bawl my eyes out and the incorporation of all the instuments seem to fit flawlessly. I won’t got and describe every song and tell you why I think it;s amazing, or how I can really sense this bands love for Jesus Christ through their music, but for those who are going through a rough time right now, or have, this album is perfect for you! I really feel like God spoke through this album
THIS IS A GREAT ALBUM! so what if it isnt as fast as Live Like we’re alive. It rocks and i think so far its the best. I give it a 5/5. they are starting, geez give them sometime, no need to be soo harsh. i dont see you out there trying hard to make music. i know these people kinda… but i know that they worked hard on this record. Lighten up! even the best band out there at one point had an album that wasnt as good as the others. this new sound is awesome.
You have obviously taken one listen to this album and tried to critique it. First of all what makes you a music critic anyway? What abilities musically do you have other than listening to music that would entitle you to make the comments that you have made. This album is a brilliant album that has already accomplished what these guys have set out to accomplish. Who cares if you don’t think the lyrics are deep and complicated and the music is simple. If you actually knew why they took the approach on this album that they did then you would be aware that they stripped their sound down so that what you hear on the album will be what you get at a concert. Too many bands today use so many tracks and samples that they can not produce live what is on their album. Also they feel like their audiences reacted more to the slower tunes of the last album than they did the more driving songs and they wanted to go more in that direction. Bottom line is this, get to know the artists before you bash them. Everyone else, GO BUY THIS ALBUM!!!
Josh,
I’m pleased that you feel passionately about music, particularly this band. I’m sure they’ve worked very hard, but this album is unimpressive.
I’m sorry if you think that is “bashing the band” but such is not the case– what it is is the critique of an album that sounds heavily borrowed from other albums, bands. Therefore, I can’t rate it HIGH, not because I hate the band, but because only CDs that I feel are GOOD get a HIGH rating.
This is a highly subjective process, but I can say that, in my capacity as someone who has heard a ton of music, this isn’t a very original/exciting CD.
If you disagree, and apparently you do, then cool.
But asking me what makes me a music critic is something of a silly question. It’s a silly question because music is made for the people– folks like you and me. We may have different tastes, but we all know what we like and what we don’t like and WHY. And the truth is, I thought this CD was boring and predictable.
Hope this clears it up. If not, enjoy the CD anyway. I stand by my review.
Josh,
Your passion for what is clearly one of your favorite bands is admirable. That’s why bands make music: for their fans. But your argument and your logic are incomplete.
You can’t critique John’s effort without taking a look at your own. What makes you qualified to be a critic of his opinion? Where is your expertise and knowledge of the music world which makes your opinion superior to John’s? What gives you the right to belittle his opinion because it does not agree with your own? As a reviewer, John has the luxury of being able to be objective about the quality of this product, whereas you, the fan, do not have this luxury, so for you to blast his viewpoint is short-sighted and ifnorant.
Also, let’s take your point about John not understanding the movtives, etc. behind why the band chose to make the album they did. Motives are fine. Everyone should have them. But just because you have a reason for making an album a certain way, that does not automatically make it a worthwhile record by itself. There has to be execution, there has to be originality. And if John did not hear these things when he reviewed the album, then he cannot very well just give the album great marks because it aimed high. You still have to hit your intended target, and in John’s opinion, this album did not do that.
I appreciate your feelings for this album and for this band, but perhaps you need to read the review all the way through and note the part of the review where John says that he is not simply trying to brush these guys off. He’s not bashing them. Sometimes albums just don’t work and if that’s a reviewer’s opinion then they have to share that with the readers.
John and Brian,
I realize John that you are a critic and your opinion of this album is respected. I know not everyone is going to care for this album and will have their own opinions as I do. I do take a strong stand for these guys because I am good friends with A.J. Cheek and Josh Pearson and I feel what they have done with this album is pretty brilliant. These guys are still working towards finding their “sound” and this album is a huge step towards doing that. To both you and Brian, I don’t have the title critic, but everyone that listens to music can critique it. I personally am a musician and have played in bands for over ten years now. I don’t consider myself a professional, but I know the music business and I know what goes into writing and making an album. I know what works and what doesn’t. There intended audience are young people searching for hope and if this album doesn’t reach those people, then there are not many that will. In “My” opinion, this album works and I think you will see that in time.
Josh,
That’s totally cool that you liked the album. Enjoy it; I encourage you too! We all have different tastes. This one wasn’t to mine. That’s all. No harm, no foul. You have to remember, I don’t write these reviews to tick people off, only to recommend CDs that I would personally buy.
Here’s what I think and what bothers me.
First, I think if someone likes an album, then they have every right to wear that puppy out listening to it and belting out the lyrics in their car or wherever at the top of their lungs and enjoy it as much as possible. And if they want, they can spread that word around to whomever. Go for it. That’s what music is all about.
What bothers me applies specifically to the Christian music industry. So often I hear that because a band has a message of hope or are spreading the gospel, or are just generally giving a positive message, then it should be given 4 stars! 5 out of 5! 10 out of 10! Album for the ages!
Simply put, that’s crap. I am fully behind any artist that wants to spread the message of Christ, one of hope and grace even in struggle. But when artists let the music suffer for the sake of the lyrics or message, then are you really an artist, or just a person with an agenda using a tool?
This isn’t to say that this band has done this or that they’re bad people, or bad musicians, or don’t have heart or put in effort. Don’t start on that, that’s not what I’m saying and you know it.
But if something sounds generic to one person, it may just be generic and it may not be spectacular music to listen to for some or a lot of people.
I agree with the Reliant K critique, I’ve often been disappointed with their efforts eventhough I grew up a huge fan of their peers like MXPX. Both bands are Christian, yet who makes better music (or did) that has lasted (see MXPX “Life In General”) In my opinion it’s MXPX (their older stuff) That’s just an example and there are many. But bottom line, you are your own critic. If you think that this band is the best you’ve heard, GREAT! Or if they’re your favorite, awesome. No one should try to change that.
But music is an art form and should be critiqued and evaluated for the artistry and not what it is simply being used to convey.
John, great review. Thanks for being real and honest.
Does it Resonate with you?