The Evening Rig “Is Doin’ Stuff” Review
On the surface it might seem that the Evening Rig don’t care. The snarky album title, Is Doin’ Stuff, seems like it may have been the first thing that shot out of someone’s mouth when they had their “What are we going to call this album?” discussion. And maybe that’s the truth, maybe they did do that, but if that was indeed the case it may have only been so they could get back to what really matters about a band in the end, the music.
This album is a collection of songs that possess the rare qualities to appeal to the casual music listener being mostly straight-ahead, whiskey-soaked rock ‘n roll but the thoughtful flourishes here and there—the lap steel on “In Spite of All That Happened” for example, will appeal to the uppity rock snobs, as well. There is a timeless quality to these songs, and I mean that in every sense of the word. They seem like they could have been written at any time between the mid-’70s to now and also seem like appropriate listening material for a summer backyard party with 30 of your closest friends. While lines like “Will you help me off the floor?/Will you help me find my way to the door?” (from “Right Where She Wants Me”) make for great sing-alongs with a crowd, they also make this album a perfect choice for some solo late night listening when you’re feeling introspective and maybe a little defeated by the curveballs life tends to throw at you.
“Right Where She Wants Me” sums up this album exceptionally well and those two lines bring it even further into focus. Sure, sometimes people drink to excess and fall down (which is fun to sing along to sometimes) but the Evening Rig seem to be more interested in why. It’s not necessarily because you’re an alcoholic, but there was that time after a particularly bitter break up when you got smashed every night for a week straight, which culminated in getting 86′ed from that one place downtown. It’s a relief to hear you aren’t the only one who was a boozy disaster after a break up; to be reassured you aren’t the only one who’s ever lost control.
(photo by Kris Drake via MySpace)
The comparisons and hyperbole could go on all day, but at it’s core this album is drinkin’ music. Is Doin’ Stuff is the kind of album that goes perfectly with a cold beer (or ten)—quintessential American rock ‘n roll that recalls everything from Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever to the Boss’s Nebraska to the Replacements’ Let It Be. It fosters that specific type of conversation that guys often have while drinking beer—talking big about how smart they are on a variety of subjects they know little or nothing about (often women, in particular), stopping here and there to discuss the merits of the music filling the room as they try to one-up each other with tall tales. The kind of conversation that should take five minutes but seems to go on for hours and finds everyone sharing a bit more about themselves than they should feel comfortable doing, though not regretting a thing later.
If you’re looking for an album that reinvents the wheel, be advised, you won’t find it with Is Doin’ Stuff. However, while the Evening Rig’s wheel is similar to others you’ve seen, there are hardly any that are this high quality. Look closely, the craftsmanship and detailing set it apart from the crowd. Only time will tell if Is Doin’ Stuff indeed becomes an American classic so, for now, all you can do is grab a sixer, some close friends and start talking, you might be surprised at what you learn.
[Review by guest contributor Pat O'Brien.]
I’ve been listening to the album off an on all week and I’m really enjoying it. Add that everyone in the band has been very nice to me and I couldn’t say more about them.
But “American classic”?
I went pretty far with my thoughts on P.O.S., but didn’t come close to American classic. When I think of that term, I think of Dylan and Cash, and to no error on their behalf, the Evening Rig aren’t in the same league.
Oh, so the Canadian gets to tell us what “American Classic” is now, eh?
Don’t worry, Iowa will catch up with the rest of us… eventually.
Canadian Classic:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8f/InLovingMemoryOf.jpg
I swear to God, I am not overselling this album at all. It’s going to take a lot to knock it out of my top spot for the year. Yes, yes, I know it’s only February.
Chris, I am going to let you in on a dirty little secret…Neil Young is actually from Iowa, though the Canadian realpolitik would have you believe otherwise
But, as always, Chris we Americans will always make it clear that The Tragically Hip, or “the Hip” as you true north strong and free call them, are indeed Canadian.
I’m not trying to say you’re wrong Pat, neither of us are (Jon is)… it’s just that I disagree.
Not sure how Big Wreck & the Tragically Hip got involved with this… from what I remember half of Big Wreck were from Boston, so they’re not even Canadian-Canadian.
It seems like this chris kid likes to suck dick, I mean he posts so much on this site you would think he wants to bang every guy on the sites staff
i’ll admit the new Rig album is really great, and will likely be in my top 3-5 local albums of the year, no question. but yeah, I honestly can’t even say the last album i’d consider an “American Classic”. i don’t think there has been one in about 10-15 years for me.
Toby – there is a reason Chris posts a lot on this site. He owns it, you dumb shit
What?! A site’s owner that posts in the comments, that’s even gayer than what I thought before!
Yeah, god forbid the guy that runs the site wants to engage in dialogue with people who comment here-why don’t you try adding to the conversation Toby, instead of wasting all of our time with your inane comments.
And since more than likely you have no idea what that word means, I’ll help you out-
inâ‹…ane
[i-neyn]
–adjective
1. lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly: inane questions.
2. empty; void.
as much as I love the record, i think there’s maybe one too many ballads for my taste…
less “American classic” more “classic American”. though musically very good-they are certainly talented- the sound is very generic rock/country/pop. drinking music- as in the kind you can put on at a bar and forget about.
Classic American—I like that
Hmmmm — I haven’t found such a good record in years! This thing has some amazing songs, with some classic ballsy playing.
No offense, Becky . . . .
As the review makes clear — no one should buy this to hear new sounds, or innovation.
It’s familiar.
But so’s fucking — nothing new there. And when you get a chance to do it with someone who’s WORLD CLASS [like the Evening Rig], you smile and settle down for one hot night.
I Love This Band !