Mason Jennings- In the Ever
CD Review
Artist: Mason Jennings
Label: Universal
Released: May 20^th, 2008

Reviewed by: Sarah Miller (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada) 

In the Ever is the sixth full length studio album from the Minnesotan singer/songwriter Mason Jennings. It was released on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Record Label, and Jennings will be going on tour with him later this summer. Looking to expand his cult status, Jennings has used a fuller band and fuller sound than in many of his previous albums. But In the Ever does not lose Jennings folk roots and singer/songwriter feel that have made him so beloved among his fans.  

Last year, Mason Jennings was selected by Randall Poster -the music supervisor for Todd Haynes' critically acclaimed Bob Dylan bio pic I'm Not There- to perform two classic Dylan songs for the movie. Jennings' versions of ‘The Times They Are a Changin' and ‘The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll' were lip synched by actor Christian Bale in the film. Listening to some of the tracks from In The Ever, it is easy to see why he was chosen. ‘Memphis Tennessee' adopts the classic Bob Dylan sound of an acoustic and harmonica. For the song ‘Fighter Girl' Jennings mimic's Dylan's vocal inflections flawlessly.  

Jennings wrestles with the big questions on In the Ever.  The first track, ‘Never Knew Your Name' deals with a longing for God and seeking his presence only to find it has been with you all along. "If the house is on fire/You're gonna run for the door/If the door is on fire/You're gonna kneel on the floor/You get down low/You learn to love the flame/I've been loving you forever, but I never knew your name", Jennings sings along to an old timey piano that could have come from my Grandma's house.  ‘I Love You and Buddha Too' playfully celebrates religious plurality. ‘How Deep is That River' is a quiet, simple ballad that deals with a crisis of faith.

In the Ever is a solid album from an established singer/songwriter. Mason Jennings manages to branch out a little bit stylistically, but maintain his thoughtful folk feel. This album displays his growth as an artist and a person and is worth checking out, to have something to listen to when you are wrestling with life's big questions.

Suggested Downloads: ‘How Deep is That River', ‘Memphis, Tennessee', ‘Never Knew Your Name',  

Never Knew Your Name
Something About Your Love
I Love You and Buddha Too
Fighter Girl
Your New Man
Memphis, Tennessee
Going Back to New Orleans
How Deep is That River
Soldier Boy
My Perfect Lover
In Your City