Lewis are a semi-recent signing to Deep Elm records. Even So is their second full length, but first for Deep Elm.
So let's not hide anything. I posted a first version of this review, and it was a very rough draft that should never have seen the light of day. I now (after a bit of duress) freely admit that, and am apologizing for its existence on the site. Let me restate that. This is a formal apology to Lewis (and their fans) for not giving the writing of their review the time it deserved.
On to the record. Lewis are a talented bunch, there's no room for doubt. I mean they craft beautiful soaring passages and hooks that stay in your head for a bit and it's not even remotely sloppy. The music seems to owe more to brit-pop than to anything else, and, I'm sticking to my guns on this one, it owes the most to Radiohead.
The strengths are plentiful for sure. The lyrics are thoughtful and just as impassioned as the music. They're literate and to be honest my favorite part of the record, (I found them on the Deep Elm site in case you're curious.) exploring depravity and the human experience in its many facets. The first track is both poetic and powerful. "men of blood, we are the fruit of lust, filled with sin, death and despair." And the record just continues in the same vein, with no fluff.
Like I've said, musically they're a talented bunch as well, copping overt Radiohead-isms and some Sunny Day-isms, to name a few, to craft something slightly different, but to my ears, unfortunately not all that different. There are highlights though, the rapid-fire delivery and droning percussion of the first quarter of "The Path that Strays" is an example. The bridge, I believe, of "The Cruelest Month" is both passionate and powerful. Etc. etc.
But the main weakness is a big one for me. The overall sound, to this reviewer, is overtly derivative. They play what they play well, but what they play is very similar to Radiohead. Brett's voice is passionate and does, at times, sound unlike Thom Yorke's, but in those moments, and I'm not talking one or two, where he sounds like Thom, the Radiohead comparison is almost unavoidable. It's a gorgeous album, don't get me wrong, and if you like Radiohead you'll enjoy the album. Heck, if you like lush indie rock in general you'll probably like it.
This has been a lesson to me to always give the writing the attention it deserves. I in no way think my position as critic puts me above the bands. They all deserve respect, and I hope that comes through.
To end, let me reiterate, I'm sorry.
C
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #98Reviewed by Jeffrey EllingerThom Yorke should be proud or at least a little weirded out over how much Brett Tohlen, lead singer for Lewis (because the band likes C.S. Lewis) sounds like him. The comparisons between the music of Radiohead and Lewis should probably stop there, although it is tempting to continue on looking at the two acts in the same musical light because Lewis tends to slip into nu-Brit pop mode from time to…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglGiven the venerated status attached to his now-classic literary works, one might rightly expect any band taking its name from writer C. S. Lewis to aspire to at least a portion of the famous author's eloquence and imagination. True to inspiration, the members of Texan four-piece Lewis fill their sophomore outing, Even So, with a decidedly literate, image-rich set of lyrics. Entries like the title…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Matt ModrichLewis is a four-piece emo band from Dallas named after none other than C.S. Lewis, which may indicate that they are Christians, but the faith of the band is not exactly clear. "Even So" is Lewis' first release on Deep Elm Records and is the band's second album. Lewis tends to be on the mellow end of the emo spectrum--recommended for fans of Radiohead and Sleeping At Last. However, fans of poppy…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerLewis had a few things going in their favor before I even gave the disc a listen. First off, they are on Deep Elm records, one of the hippest indie labels out there that for years has given us some of the top emo bands and is currently exposing the world to some great post-emo music. Secondly, Lewis gets its name from one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis. So what's not to like? Pop that sucker…Similar sounding releases
2003BelladorThe Day's Intent
2001Ran Away To SeaI Won't Tell A Soul Except The World
2003The Appleseed CastTwo Conversations
1998CoboltSpirit on Parole
2002EeFor 100 We Try Harder
2003FletcherFriends Don't Speak
