Everclear: Invisible Stars

Everclear
Invisible Stars
eOne Music [2012]









  Fire Note Says: If you were a fan in the past you just might like the new Everclear.

Album Review:
The new Everclear easily sparked my interest as I will still play a little "Heroin Girl" from time to time from their break out record Sparkle And Fade [1995]. The band itself has went through tons of line up changes over the years with the constant being leader/singer/songwriter Art Alexakis. Invisible Stars is no different in that respect although several players have been in the group now since 2003.

Of course this always goes back to the debate about if just a lead singer can carry a band forward? The answer can typically go either way but it really needs to come back to the music. In Everclear's case, Invisible Stars is the strongest material Alexakis has released since Songs From An American Movie Vol 1. back in 2000. That doesn't mean that every song here is a winner but snapshots of the old fiery Northwest punk Everclear is here like on the muscular 2 minute "Aces" and "The Golden Rule". Even the lead single "Be Careful What You Ask For" has that Everclear bounce and hook which stands out and sounds more fresh than any other of the bands most recent output.

Invisible Stars is not going to recapture the Everclear glory years of selling millions of records but it at least shows that Alexakis still has a bit of fuel left in the songwriting tank. The band finally is able to recreate some of the edge that their earlier material possessed which made them a big alternative rock act even though several tracks are a little toned down for my taste and still try too hard to be a rock radio single. Not sure where they go from here but this record could be a stepping stone back to the mainstream because not only will current fans enjoy it but longtime listeners could easily be brought back into the fold as Invisible Stars will hit some familiar chords.

Key Tracks: "Aces", "Be Careful What You Ask For", "Falling In A Good Way"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Foo Fighters
Local H
Weezer

Everclear Website
Everclear Facebook
eOne Music

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony