band - Mika Evans Project 1.21.07 review of "Based on a True Story"

(Listen to MEP's "Out of Time")

First off, thanks to Shane for the MEP t-shirt and cd's. I may not get paid

very much for this job but at least I get free stuff, haha.

Alright, so I get the cd in the mail, and I immediately notice one thing.

What a fantastic looking cd. The cover (to your right) and cd packaging

is about as professional as you're ever going to see from an unsigned

band. A full six-page booklet with lyrics and awesome graphics, and a

bar code on the back cover, which has this "creepy-dark-forest" vibe to it.

Just a great-looking cd. Good job fellas.

"Based on a True Story" was a lengthy project that was carefully pieced

together at several different recording studios; SoundStage Studios

(Nashville), Ardent Studios (Memphis), Sonic Temple Studios (St. Louis), and the hometown studio of successful music producer and Southeast Missouri native Malcom Springer, New Madrid County Recording Center (Portageville) - a studio which only a chosen few are selected to record at. Malcom's long history in the business includes work with Matchbox 20, Collective Soul, Faith Hill, Fear Factory, Full Devil Jacket, and most recently, local band Promise to Burn, among others. So I pretty much knew before I even played the cd that it would be another heavily produced Malcom Springer gem, and that the quality of the disc would far surpass other local band's cd's. With that said, I'll say this - it IS another heavily produced Malcom Springer gem, and the quality DOES surpass other local band's cd's. (We'll go ahead and get that out of the way), and try to focus on the music itself.

"Based on a True Story" is indeed a true story. A story of the life of Mika Evans - past and present, reality and fantasy. I couldn't wait to hear the whole cd.

The twelve-song lp starts out with "Perfect Mess", the third-shortest song on the cd, and a "perfect" song to put at the beginning of the disc - a catchy tune with precisely crafted production representing the band's forte, which is strong vocals and acoustic guitars. Mika's vocals on this track are very distinctive and above the music. Another radio favorite from beginning to end, "Perfect Mess" speaks of mundane days, worthless efforts, laziness, and life's disasters - only to realize there's nothing you can really do about it, but to just lie there and hate it. Perhaps a reference to living in a state like Missouri, where the entertainment business is slim to none. Perhaps chasing that perfect girl, only messing it up in the end and retreating back to the comfort of solitude. Perhaps losing a loved one, and the only thing that drives you to keep going is the thoughts of happiness you remember from years ago. Perhaps.......just lyrics.

The second track, "What You Will" features a more laid back sound - a groove, if you will. Almost like a great driving/thinking song (if that makes sense). The track has a a moderate tempo and great flow to it, and is easy to sing along to.... "I wanted to run from you, but look where it led me to. A failure to let this be. Just do what you will with me." "What You Will" is a love song about forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. An emotional, deep song which I'd be willing to bet got it's inspiration from a true story, much like the next track, "Nevermind Me", which is possibly the strongest track on the entire cd. The song speaks of individuality, deceit, and hope - another song from the heart. It almost makes you think this isn't a rock band, but a country band - though the sound of electric guitars and driving drum beats are ever-present, I haven't heard many rock bands with such carefully thought-out lyrics. According to his website, Mika doesn't like to call himself a poet, so I'll say he's one of the best "songwriters" I've ever heard from this area - and with the help of Malcom Springer, "Nevermind Me" is another pop hit that should probably be dominating the airwaves right now.

"I Won't Pretend", the fourth track on 'Based on a True Story', is another epic love song. Just as you think the song will be a full acoustic ballad, electric guitars and drums come in. The verses are hilighted by strings, and the harmonizing is right on. The track features another dominating, catchy chorus and is chocked full of well-produced hooks, breaks, and bridges. Mika's just-over-the-top unique vocals takes just a few minutes to get used to, but by the fourth track, you surely begin to become accustomed. Not to say his vocals are less than average, but quite the opposite. The vocals are simply, different, and that's what every band needs to have - something different. "I Won't Pretend" says 'I won't beg', but after hearing it, you'll be begging to get it out of your head. (Um, that was a compliment by the way).

"Little People" is a song about the egotistical 'I'm better than you' attitude in people, and has one of my favorite lyrics on the entire cd: "Excuses turn to reasons, reasons all too quickly turn to lies. You try to keep your distance, so that no one sees the cracks in your disguise." Another carefully constructed pop song, "Little People" is a tale of the underdog, and one day rising up to stand right beside those who feel they're better than the rest. The track, however, creates a somber vibe, and you would think that a song of this nature would have more of an uplifting, joyful sound seeing as it's a song about equality and overcoming. A great song by itself, but not one of the strongest songs on the cd.

Track six, "Selfish Sacrifice", is another slow one which starts with layered acoustic guitars, as well as a slide dobro... a throwback to the old southern rock sound of the early 70's, ala Lynyrd Skynyrd. The track combines elements of southern rock and modern pop to deliver a very powerful message - to gain control of your life before you selfishly sacrifice it. The organs provide sort of a gospel atmosphere, and with the surprisingly-great female backup vocals, the song grabs your attention more than the previous tracks. At five minutes and forty six seconds, "Selfish Sacrifice" is the longest track on the cd, and is, at least in my opinion, the most intriguing in the band's repotoire.

Track seven "Emily Watson" and track eight "Numb" are two more shining examples of the talent portrayed in the recording. Both speak of hope, depression, and making a better life for yourself. Both provide wonderful-sounding acoustic guitars and, at this point in the cd, I realize not one song is better than the other. Sure, one could hear this cd, pick out a few favorites and call the rest "fillers", but with the magnitude of production involved in each and every track, one could also easily label each a song a hit.

"Slow Sand" is a peaceful, melodic tune which embarks on a question many of us ask...if we speak to God, will he answer? The lyrics talk of a patient, suffocation feeling, and wanting something more. A short track, "Slow Sand" is a soft, subtle reminder of despair and salvation. The strings, guitars, and drums are so beautifully mixed together on this specific track, and much like the tenth track ("Hush") and the eleventh track ("Listen") the song is yet another wonderfully produced pop ballad.

"Based on a True Story" ends with 'Out of Time'- a rockin' tune about being awkward, out of time, underpraised, and overstated. More great lyrics here, "I can't help it if you don't get my songs, how's that my fault?" Many interpretations can be revealed with this track, (which has become my personal favorite) and is definitely the liveliest, upbeat song on the entire cd. "Out of Time" almost seems 'out of place'. I would've preferred hearing the track earlier in the cd, and I was really surprised to hear the song at the tail end. Perhaps not the staple acoustic track of the band, since it is a livlier, electric song, but one that is strong, humorous, and interesting.

Not being a huge pop fan myself, sometimes I find it hard to listen to some particular bands. That wasn't necessarily the case with this cd. Sure, all the pop elements were there - soft acoustic guitars, fantastic melody and harmonizing, songs about love, etc, but I can also respect all the hard work and effort put in to recording this "project", and can easily pick out a few tracks above the rest that I really dig. Why these tracks aren't filling up the airwaves is beyond me, since the style of music easily fits all popular station's genres. "Based on a True Story" is a wonderfully produced acoustic pop rock album that could be successful with a large demographic. Best wishes to Mika and everyone else who was involved with the recording of this cd. Can't wait for the next one......

( www.BANNEDPROMOTIONS.com/MEPreview)

Visit the MIka online at www.MIKAEVANS.com or at MySpace at www.MYSPACE.com/MIKAEVANSPROJECT

(Click on the cd cover at the top of the page to purchase the album).