Rank: 3.5/5
One man show Evan Weiss is the mind behind Into It. Over It., and his third studio album “Standards” is a throwback to the emo, punk and indie-rock movement of the mid-2000s.
Weiss and touring drummer Josh Sparks lived in an isolated cabin in Vermont for a month to write “Standards.” Weiss recorded the entire album to tape in producer John Vanderslice’s Tiny Telephone recording studio in San Francisco.
Other than Sparks’ drums, Weiss plays everything on the album.
In an interview with SPIN, Weiss said, “We couldn’t sweat the small stuff, you’re not able to go in and tweak or micromanage little sections of the music. It helped me accept chaos in a way I couldn’t before.”
The listener can hear Weiss’ evolution in his music. This album is his best yet, and every track has something new and different to offer the listener. There isn’t a bad song on the record.
“Closing Argument,” “No EQ,” “Vis Major” and “Old Lace & Ivory” are especially notable tracks on the album. Weiss made a diverse album with “Standards;” it has everything from full-out rock jams to slower, acoustic tunes.
The album’s versatility is what makes it successful. Weiss seamlessly transitions between each track. His style subtly moves in on the listener; you don’t realize how much you like the album until halfway through the listening process.
Weiss brings back the garage punk rock genre to nostalgic listeners. He’s here to remind the audience the genre is still very much alive and still worth listening to.
Weiss is extending the boundaries of his label and it’s attracting audiences new and old. While Weiss brings back this genre he also redines the emo and indie-rock genre with his multifaceted instrumentation and catchy riffs. There’s punk and rock influences — even some folk.
Listeners haven’t heard anything similar to Weiss in a long time, but that’s not necessarily a problem. It’s a breath of fresh air.