Evangenitals

I know the group's name seems like some unholy cross between G.G. Allin and Exene Cervenka, maybe with a dash of Diamanda Galas, but the Evangenitals is, as editor Dave Pyles referenced in the FAME critics' Pick List, an "alt-country hillbilly love punk rock revolution of the freak folk", and that about sums 'em up, though I have to say that the punk element is way recessed—thus, if you're not the biggest fan of punk (neither am I), no worries there. Evangenitals is actually kinda more like The Cowboy Junkies but not morose and with much attention to tradition and an Appalachian sense of things.

At about 27 minutes long, the CD's halfway between a fully fledged disc and an EP, enough to let the listener know what's going on and want more. Juli Crockett and Lisa Dee tackle the vocal chores, with Juli also on rhythm guitar, Lisa grabbing percussion, both fronting a backing fivesome of obviously seasoned players, especially guitarist Henry Bermudez and fiddler Andrea Baker. The lyrics, penned by Crockett, are often chuckle-inducing, especially Work Song, which is practically a proletarian anthem. Home is a hummable whistle-able cut appropriate for buzzing around the kitchen, cooking up a mess of vittles in a gingham apron and maybe sipping on the cooking wine. So Sweet portrays a ridiculously delightful anthem to love, as Ms. Crockett has a way with words that's deceptively simple while profound.

A very solid release, Evangenitals presages excellences to come. They should catch on very quickly and will, I guarantee, get any festival up and dancing, with clapping hands, and a lot of smiling moon-eyes growing misty over the ballads.

Track List:

Edited by: David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)