Thom Yorke should be proud or at least a little weirded out over how much Brett Tohlen, lead singer for Lewis (because the band likes C.S. Lewis) sounds like him. The comparisons between the music of Radiohead and Lewis should probably stop there, although it is tempting to continue on looking at the two acts in the same musical light because Lewis tends to slip into nu-Brit pop mode from time to time.
Maybe I could describe Even So like this: take Radiohead post-Bends, but less computer happy, cross-mojinate that with the drama of Mineral, sprinkle in some Jeff Buckley, some guitar tones that are wonderfully gentle, and finally mix in the under-stated and well-executed drum work that makes its way along the whole album with nice flams and rolls. Pop hooks are not blatant or immediately evident on the 10 tracks, but after repeated listens a person will pick up on the subtle nuisances and structures that make Even So a great pick-up. Somehow, somewhere out there Mr. Yorke is smiling.
Editors' ratings — Doug 3/5, Lonny 4/5
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis January 2003Reviewed by BW DiederichLewis are a semi-recent signing to Deep Elm records. Even So is their second full length, but first for Deep Elm. So let's not hide anything. I posted a first version of this review, and it was a very rough draft that should never have seen the light of day. I now (after a bit of duress) freely admit that, and am apologizing for its existence on the site. Let me restate that. This is a formal…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglGiven the venerated status attached to his now-classic literary works, one might rightly expect any band taking its name from writer C. S. Lewis to aspire to at least a portion of the famous author's eloquence and imagination. True to inspiration, the members of Texan four-piece Lewis fill their sophomore outing, Even So, with a decidedly literate, image-rich set of lyrics. Entries like the title…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Matt ModrichLewis is a four-piece emo band from Dallas named after none other than C.S. Lewis, which may indicate that they are Christians, but the faith of the band is not exactly clear. "Even So" is Lewis' first release on Deep Elm Records and is the band's second album. Lewis tends to be on the mellow end of the emo spectrum--recommended for fans of Radiohead and Sleeping At Last. However, fans of poppy…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerLewis had a few things going in their favor before I even gave the disc a listen. First off, they are on Deep Elm records, one of the hippest indie labels out there that for years has given us some of the top emo bands and is currently exposing the world to some great post-emo music. Secondly, Lewis gets its name from one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis. So what's not to like? Pop that sucker…Similar sounding releases
2003BelladorThe Day's Intent
2001Ran Away To SeaI Won't Tell A Soul Except The World
2003The Appleseed CastTwo Conversations
1998CoboltSpirit on Parole
2002EeFor 100 We Try Harder
2003FletcherFriends Don't Speak
