(2018) Bob Evans - Full Circle

Review: 
Bob Evans is the nom de plume of Freo boy Kevin Mitchell, perhaps better known as lead singer of indie darlings Jebediah, and with his alter-ego he’s endeared himself to arguably more fans around the world. The reasons are all here on this gloriously sunny compilation, Full Circle, which summarises the fifteen-year Evans journey. 
From Dylanesque folk pop to Beatlesy singer-songwriter radio rock, Nashville country licks to Dave Warner-like suburban anthems, Mitchell/Evans continually wins the day with summery melodies and bright, thoughtful, wistful, intelligent lyrics. It’s startling to realise that Don’t You Think It’s Time?, from Evans debut solo album Suburban Kid, was released in 2003. The world was pre-Trump, pre-Brexit, pre-farcical Australian politics… not enough people listened to his plaintiff plea for a better world full of better people then, and his song has infinitely more resonance and meaning now. Don’t Wanna Grow Up Anymore is an instantly relatable sentiment for all of us who’ve been forced to face the disappointing realities of being an adult, while Happy Tears is another perfect folk-pop song with an irresistible melody. 
Pasha Bulker showcases the influence recording in Nashville has had on the songwriter. A breezy West Coast country-flavoured slice of life, it’s “where did I go wrong” refrain never allowed to dip into melancholy thanks to another melody to die for. 


Tracklist: 

CD 1: 
1.Don’t You Think It’s Time? 
2.Someone So Much 
3.Nowhere Without You 
4.Don’t Wanna Grow Up Anymore 
5.Happy Tears 
6.Wintersong 
7.Pasha Bulker 
8.Friend 
9.Hand Me Downs 
10.Matterfact 
11.Don’t Walk Alone 
12.Sadness & Whiskey 
13.Turn 
14.Wonderful You 
15.Drowning 

CD 2: 
1.Ever Fallen In Love (Buzzcocks) (Double J Live Recording) 
2.In Spite Of Ourselves (John Prine & Iris Dement) (Recorded with Kirsty Lee Akers) 
3.Not Fair (Lily Allen) (Live for JJJ Like A Version) 
4.Come To This (Sleepy Jackson) 
5.Disparate Youth (Santigold) (Live for JJJ Like A Version) 
6.Wide Open Road (The Triffids) 
7.Beautiful To Me (Little Birdy) (Live for JJJ Like A Version) 
8.See Through Dress (Red Jezebel) 
9.Liar (Eskimo Joe) 
10.Two Of Us (the Beatles) (Recorded live with Josh Pyke) 

Summary: 
Country: USA 
Genre: indie-folk