Search - John Evans :: Lucky 13

Getting Lucky with Lucky 13

Bryan Carey | Houston, TX | 12/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"John Evans' Lucky 13 is a country- influenced album with some memorable tunes that sing of common country music themes like trouble with your mate, cheating, etc. Several of the songs on Lucky 13, like Ride Away, Sweeten Up My Game. Forgot to Remember You're Gone, and others sound like they came straight from a Nashville recording studio and the overall sound of Lucky 13 is different from past John Evans albums, which were usually more rock and blues oriented.



Even though Lucky 13 is more country influenced than not, it still offers its share of variety with a multitude of musical genres blended together into one album. Three Shades of Blue is one surprise. It has a sound that reminds me of a Motown tune from the 1960's and it offers lyrics that, while more like a country song, could still find a home on the albums of many different artists from the pre- 1970's era. Another surprise is Bad Thoughts in a Good Way. This is a bad- boy type of tune that offers some memorable lyrics and a musical sound that doesn't necessarily fit into any specific musical genre.



Like other John Evans albums, the songs on Lucky 13 are notable for their lyrics and for Evans' smooth vocal deliveries. With the lyrics, you will find some good ones on this album and they offer intelligence without going over the top. You don't need a degree in English to understand them, but they are thoughtful nonetheless. The lyrics are also more direct, with Evans singing about cheating, broken hearts, loneliness, etc. And the vocals are as fine as ever with Evans' smooth singing ability putting the listener's mind and soul at ease.



Many of the songs on Lucky 13 seem to tell a story, with many of them talking about sorrow and pain, but others singing of happiness and joy. There are love songs throughout, but Evans avoids producing the mushy ballads with corny lyrics, like those that listeners were forced to endure back in the early 1980's. The ballads served up on this album bear greater resemblance to those from the early days of rock and roll. They sing about boy meets girl and the problems that often arise with lyrics that are more thoughtful and that more people will relate to.



Lucky 13 is, overall, a good, fun, and sometimes humorous album from John Evans and his backing band. It makes a good choice for those who like country music with a little less twang and a little more variety. This album is a little gentler that other John Evans albums but fans of country and 1950's style pop will enjoy it regardless.

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