Evangenitals: A Journey Through "No Faces" and Their Enigmatic Sound
In a world increasingly defined by categorization, few artists have the courage to stand outside conventional genres. The Evangenitals, with their avant-garde Americana touch, are one of those bold entities. Their newest track, "No Faces," emerges as a stunning reminder of their refusal to fit into any preordained mold. The song swirls with evocative harmonies, a haunting melody, and lyrics that feel like whispers from a dream—or perhaps, from a forgotten corner of the soul.
The LA Weekly once asked, “What the hell kind of church service is this?” when describing an Evangenitals live performance. This question seems almost prophetic in hindsight. With their blend of unconventional sounds, it’s as though the band isn’t just playing music—they’re conjuring an experience. "No Faces" feels like an invitation to explore a realm where genres dissolve, leaving only raw emotion and musical craftsmanship.
The song begins with the unmistakable voice of Juli Crockett, whose vocals seem to float over the melody, like a siren calling to the lost. Juli’s voice carries the weight of a thousand stories, each note dripping with longing, vulnerability, and the complex emotion that defines the band’s entire catalog. When she sings, she doesn't just perform; she offers a part of her very soul, as if she’s unraveling her innermost thoughts in real-time.
The song’s production is equally as captivating. There’s an intentional chaotic beauty to "No Faces." It’s not the polished, predictable sound of mainstream Americana; instead, it pulls you in with its unpredictability, shifting from moment to moment like a dream that refuses to be pinned down. The elements are ever-evolving, like a well-lived life that finds beauty in its disarray.
Lisa Dee’s harmonies are an essential part of the track’s atmosphere, blending with Juli’s in a way that evokes the haunting imagery of tragic mermaids—an allusion the LA Record made about their vocal work. Together, their voices transform into something otherworldly, capturing the essence of mystery and sorrow intertwined. Their sound feels like it could have emerged from the misty Appalachian mountains or the corners of a forgotten psychedelic dream.
As the song unfolds, the haunting fiddles of Andrea Baker and the electric mandolin and harmonica played by Danny Graziani create an emotional tug that pulls listeners deeper into the narrative. Every string, every breath feels deliberate and raw, invoking feelings of both sadness and hope. There’s a certain sadness in the song, but it’s not despair—it’s the kind of sadness you embrace, the kind that makes you feel more alive.
Musically, "No Faces" continues the Evangenitals’ tradition of transcending genre. The band's sound is hard to place—yet impossible to ignore. It’s part alt-country, part psychedelic, with a twist of gospel and opera, a true reflection of the eclectic backgrounds that each band member brings to the table. Michael Feldman’s guitar weaves through the track, adding a layer of complexity that is both grounded and ethereal, a perfect complement to the swirling, cinematic vocals.
There is a distinct playfulness in the band’s approach to music, an element that sets them apart. They have never been afraid to subvert expectations, as demonstrated by their origins. Founded in 2003 as a joke by playwright/director Crockett and opera singer Lisa Dee, the band has since defied all odds. What began as a whimsical experiment has evolved into one of the most unique and exciting sounds in contemporary music.
The band’s ability to mix genres and cultures is showcased in every note. From the jazz influences of Lisa Dee to the experimental sensibility of Crockett, "No Faces" encapsulates the spirit of the Evangenitals—an unshackled, boundary-pushing band with an unmatched sense of freedom.
The track's bridge is a particular standout, where the instrumental chaos reaches a crescendo, pushing the song to an almost unbearable tension. And then, as if to remind us that beauty exists in imperfection, the track releases, bringing us back to the haunting lull of the opening melody. The shift is startling, but it’s this very push and pull that makes "No Faces" so emotionally powerful.
The song is a testament to the band’s ability to turn something as simple as a melody or a lyric into a profound statement on human emotion. With "No Faces," the Evangenitals remind us that there is beauty in not knowing, in not fitting in, and in allowing ourselves to feel deeply—even if those feelings can sometimes be overwhelming.
For fans who have followed the band’s journey since their 2014 album Moby Dick: or, The Album, it’s clear that the Evangenitals have not lost their edge. If anything, their ability to evolve while maintaining their unmistakable spirit is what makes them so special. No Faces might be one of their most haunting songs to date, but it’s also a beautiful evolution of their ever-changing sound.
This track is more than just a song. It’s a window into the soul of a band that refuses to be anything other than themselves—imperfect, complicated, and utterly captivating. With No Faces, the Evangenitals remind us that sometimes the most powerful art is the one that leaves us questioning, searching, and feeling.
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