Album Review: Bob Evans - Familiar Stranger

After three albums that possessed an acoustic heart and a touch of alt.country charm, Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell has introduced a new energy to the work of his old buddy Bob Evans on his latest record, Familiar Stranger. Opener Footscray Park boldly initiates lush harmonies straight off the bat, followed by delicate layers of keys, strings and gentle guitar as Mitchell works into the big lyrical goalposts of the album – life and death – by cooing: “What do you do with the mess in your mind?” He has a knack of spinning hope into his often-serious topics – as is the case with Sitting In The Waiting Room – though there's greater experimentation in his choice of instrumentation this time around. 

Recognising the rhythm section as integral to this shift, Mitchell enlisted Beck drummer Joey Waronker and Sydney bassist Tony Buchen to marvellous effect. Maps is a highlight for the forthright syncopated beat that keeps verse and chorus on a pure pop track, while a wandering bass guides a dreamy soundscape of synths for Mitchell's breathy vocal until they each explode – in a controlled chaos kinda way – in a massive rock ending. Go could be the joyous anthem for the first day of a summer holiday road trip; quick, tambourine-heavy percussion coupled with a catchy-as-hell guitar riff provides a punchy base for Mitchell's youthful proclamation-of-love duet with San Cisco's Scarlett Stevens. Elsewhere Don't Wanna Grow Up Anymore reiterates a great talent for pop craftsmanship, while a softer dynamic is captured on piano ballad What Else Is There? and the beautiful ode to first-time parenthood in closer Wonderful You.

It's familiar Bob Evans, yet it's all the better for being stranger.