‘Ever’ the same Mason Jennings
Posted on May 21st, 2008 – 3:58 PMBy Chris Riemenschneider
When I heard that Mason Jennings‘ new album would come out on Jack Johnson’s Brushfire label, I immediately thought, “OK, this is it. Mason’s finally gonna release an album that gets radio play and VH1 attention and all that.” But then I heard from Mason himself that he made the record working solo in a cabin in the woods (this was before Bon Iver’s record started getting attention). And then I heard the album itself.
“In the Ever,” which came out yesterday, is the exact kind of record I initially thought it wouldn’t be. Which is to say it’s classic Mason: very lo-fi, homesun, all acoustic, sweet, poetic, hard-pondering, hippie-ish but not dippy, and probably something that will quickly turn off the radio programmers who play Jack’s singles to death. One of my favorite tracks is “Your New Man,” a live track that’s clumsily but charmingly dropped into the middle of the record (when you hear it, you’ll know why it needed to be live). Another is “I Love You and Buddha Too,” which I described elsewhere as the most simplistic song to try to save the world since “Give Peace a Chance.” The single “Fighter Girl” (click here for the video) could have fit on any of his early albums. And then there’s “Memphis, Tenn.,” which reminds me of Mason’s contributions to the “I’m Not There”/Dylan biopic soundtrack (in a good way).
I’m genuinely curious to hear other people’s reaction to the record.
6 Responses to "‘Ever’ the same Mason Jennings"
Chris
Haven’t heard the new CD yet
but just adding, respectfully,
that I’ve never gotten his popularity/
music. Guess I should have caught
some of those early 400 Bar shows
Thanks
GB
I’m a big Mason fan, and the new album is decent (streaming various places online), but he needs to start experimenting a little more with his sound. All of his stuff is starting to sound the same … sort of like a current tour mate of his. Brushfire Records should be a perfect fit.
That said “Your New Man” is a nice addition and should be a crowd favorite. Sort of reminiscent of “Bullet.” He has another hilarious song I’ve heard live about drunk and riding on his bike that I hoped would have made it.
The drunk bike riding song is one that Mason used to do with his brother Matt when they were playing semi-regularly at the old Jitter’s location. Circa 1996.
If he hasn’t recorded it buy now, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
He said, essentially, he left Glacial Pace because (I assume Brock) didn’t approve of his continual stripped-down, low-fi approach. You are what you is. Mason Jennings: Grandaddy of Cabin Folk.
I sort of hoped he would stay with GP because “Boneclouds” provided a few songs that showed a slightly different look i.e. “Some Say I’m Not”. But then again, there were songs like “Where the Sun Had Been” that seemed liked a failed attempt at tweaking his sound.
I guess you can’t really argue though with a label that let’s him create music how he wants.
Jeez, Chris, why don’t you try writing some songs before you blow cold on this stuff?
If Mason’s big sin is that his new stuff sounds like HIM, then be grateful he hasn’t been sucked into the machine. He’s being true to himself… what a nightmare.
You want Jack Johnson, then listen to Jack Johnson.
I say kudos that they let Mason do his thing.
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