Young’s life has been a study in multiple failed
starts, from an early attempt to learn piano as a child to a flirtation with
becoming a pop star in college to get girls, an experiment that failed when he
just couldn’t get his mind around the guitar. He managed to release an album in
his 30s but the fallout from the divorce he found himself in the midst of drew
all of his attention, leaving him little if any energy to promote the album.
After a few more stops and starts, Young thought his musical days were behind
him until he again decided to give the guitar one last go.
“About 1½ years into it, around 42 or 43 years old,
I realized that something unique was happening,” says Everett. “I was getting
to the point where I could really play the guitar. This was something that a
lot of middle-aged people had tried to do but virtually no one had ever done.
About the same time, I went looking for a guitar teacher and in my search I
learned that teachers couldn’t relate to me; they had no idea how to teach
anyone my age or in my position. The person that helped me the most turned out
to be a life coach. He taught me to stay the course, to embrace the adventure,
embrace myself, take it day by day and stay in the moment, if I wanted to
succeed in playing guitar.”
Drawing inspiration from that experience and leaning
on his newfound abilities, Young himself took to teaching the instrument, allowing
his wisdom and understanding to help other older learners. But his true passion
lay in making his own music and he finally has all the pieces in place for his
latest.
The
Fascinating Thinking Machine is an album that
resonates with singer-songwriter charm, Young weaving together earnest 80’s
styled pop templates to complement his intelligent lyricism, a key ingredient
for the artist.
“I’m trying to make sophisticated, intellectual pop,”
he shares. “I want the album to have deep lyrics and be philosophically
stimulating. I want the melodies to stick in your head and be yummy pop
melodies — a gourmet meal, not fast food.”
That meal opens up with the moody textures of “Until
I See the Sun,” a haunting note leading into a track that opens up into a
mid-tempo rocker while “Says A Tender Mind” opts for brighter textures and
jangly guitars. “When Howie Dressed Me Down” is a vintage 80’s jam, synthesizers
and more merging together to form a perfectly retro vibe while Young infuses
his own mojo into the proceedings as “Kid” holds court with a restless sense of
wisdom and energy, Young’s vocals rich and pleasantly just touched with grit.
Young’s also possessed by a softer side and, quite
frankly, it’s that side that dominates more of this record as tracks like “Building
a Robot,” the jazz-influenced “The Sultan of Brunei,” and “Saying Goodbye”
show. These find the artist taking things from a more laid-back, acoustic
approach and the result is reminiscent of 70s torch songs, the vocals smooth
and framed by arrangements warm and subtle. Of special note is “After the
Healing,” a song informed by gentle piano and snippets of trumpet that carry
along a message of hopeful reconciliation between lovers, a tale just about
everybody can identify with.
It’s been a long time coming but Everett Young has
finally managed to do what he’s wanted to do for so long, placing his heart and
passion into song. The Fascinating
Thinking Machine is a solid listen, particularly for fans of 70s and 80s
flavored pop and while there are a few moments that beg for just a bit more
energy, Young has done a job worthy of hearty applause by Mr. Kickliter, the
artist’s high school choir instructor and band’s namesake.
Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and write about our album! It's so funny you say the softer side dominates. I hadn't thought of that, but it's exactly right. The original concept for the album was that it was going to be a pure new wave record. But records take on lives of their own during the making. One of the uptempo songs got jettisoned at the final hour because...well, the vocal was not quite hitting, or something just wasn't quite right. Then "The Libertarian" got bumped to bonus-track status--we didn't think it quite fit in with the others. And just like that, the record took on a jazzier, mellower tone.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, and great music review site. Thanks for the work you do! -EY