In the Nineties, EVE 6 were darlings in the USA but their third album tanked (even though fans loved it) and they drifted into obscurity. Now, 8 years later, the original members have returned with Speak in Code. Max Collins, the singer, explains the album’s title as a lyric from the same song where, in a vulnerable moment, “the world is overwhelming and it’s like people are speaking a language you don’t understand.” Unfortunately, i don’t understand EVE 6 anymore.
The rhythm, melody and “have fun” attitude of ‘Curtain’, the opening song, made me think again that EVE 6 is am underrated band but by the end of the album i had quickly rescinded that opinion.
A landmark in the band’s discography would have been ‘Open Road Song’. It was a lovely example of rocked pop, catchy but edgy with college attitude. I expect most bands to develop but i would’ve been content if they’d emulated that moment. They did neither. ‘Curtain’ was good (download it) but misleading. ‘Lost and Found’ is decent too. The rest of the songs range from trite, teen rock to outright, over processed pop. If they can be called a theme here, love and sexual relationships are it. Handled with utter pubescence, the lyrics are sickening e.g. “Put your back in, baby, put your back in, put your back in, baby, put your back into it – get it on,” and, “I don’t believe you went to bed at 10.15 – you said you’d call. I waited up. I need another tequila.” Yeb fucking vas! Sure signs that cultural armageddon is a long way from ending.
If you’re a lover of the genre, rather listen to the latest from All American Rejects and Tegan & Sara.
