In The Making…, the second studio album from the Chattanooga, Tenn.-based, five-piece pop/rock band Nevertheless, is akin to the group opening up their personal diary and reading from stage. “I feel very vulnerable when listening to these songs,” shared guitarist AJ Cheek. “They’re about real experiences; some personal, some from close friends. We’re not hiding behind anything.” Produced by Rob Hawkins and recorded in Nashville between March and April 2008, In The Making… is piano-heavy pop/rock music that invites you into the heart of Nevertheless.
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Nevertheless is waking up to the occasion reather than "sleeping in"| Posted September 10, 2008
Nevertheless’ debut album, Live like we are Alive, may be similar to Jimmy Eat World, Further Seems Forever, and Cartel in the musical aspects but very little is similar about Nevertheless and those bands. The indie rock band’s opening album showed maturity in all aspects of song structure but one part that stood out is the ability to reach across and relate their messages of faith and hope easily. That skill still sits with fans and those who are holding out on improvement the second time around. Let me tell you, In the Making of Nevertheless’s sophomore project, they have been making improvements.
The basic tunes and unchallenging riffs were fine in Live like we are Alive but there was a feeling that the music wasn’t fresh of cutting edge enough to stick with bands like Hawk Nelson and Relient K. But their first single shows that Nevertheless has not been wasting their time; the piano driven pop/rock anthem, “sleeping in”, and key track song for the album is smart, it flows well, and it has a very unsullied sound to it. “I needed this” and “cross my heart” seems directly influenced by Relient K, with Josh Pearson’s vocals sounding similar to that of Matthew Thiessen, and the tune is reminiscent to some of Relient K’s older up beat pop/rock/punk material. But “Cross my Heart’s” verse still sounds like the style of music we heard on the title track of their first CD, but the chorus is a more stable, flowing tune.
The pop song “it’s true” is only average, but “long shot” is energetic and a fun punk rock tune with some impressive guitars. Musical maturity is clear but the biggest change will probably catch fans is the fact that the ballads out number than rock songs. Not that it’s a pitfall but ballads are usually on the simple side, and but Nevertheless does a good job keeping them diverse. “I found my way back again” and “it’s no secret” are more acoustic guitar driven and they sound the roughest sounding the ballads. Although “Augustine” sounds a little too much like “topics” the piano based tracks are both emotionally inviting.
Nevertheless didn’t stray away from tough spiritual topics like adultery, being lukewarm and dancing on the edge of sin as Christians and although the first three songs have similar themes songwriting isn’t a negative issue on In the Making. “Sleeping in”, “cross my heart” and “it’s true” all admit failure in doing what Gods says but there is a determination in the first two mentioned songs to strive to be better and “it’s true” hints that we are the problem (We've made it hard to see /The light shining through/The things we do’). “When I’m alone” is about regretting a hard friendship and the regrets of wasting time (‘There's so much I should have said,/When time was wearing thin’) and the humorous “long shot” gives a biblical mind set to a girl guy relationship; a combination rarely seen these days. The brilliant song “topics” stands as the most impressive accomplishment off the album.
Nevertheless make it clear that they are not a cheesy indie rock band: ‘These aren't just songs to soothe breakup sores or to feed the fires of crushes; they are also songs to mend deeper wounds’. And they practice what they preach, as they have a good balance of Biblical truth that has relevance in today’s culture. Fewer ballads would have been appreciated and so would a few more pop rock tunes on In the Making along with some more cutting edge songs like “sleeping in”, but who can be truly disappointed with such a solid project?
Nevertheless [In The Making ...]| Posted October 07, 2008 [MAIN REVIEW]
Nevertheless is comprised of five members: Josh Pearson on acoustic guitar and vocals, AJ Cheek on lead guitar and backup vocals, Brad Jones on guitar and backing vocals, Adam Wann on bass, and Adam Rowe on drums.
Sounds like: Mae, Relient K, Coldplay.
Nevertheless debuted with an independent album in 2005 and one year later had already moved up to a major label with the release of “Live like we’re alive.” Now with the release of their third project, “In the Making,” they are continuing to make their mark on the Christian music world. “In the Making,” while less edgy than its earlier counter parts, is still a true mark of good music. The lyrics are full of emotion, and the songs reflect the lives, values, and experiences of band members personally. It’s good when a band is willing to tell the fans where they are in life and what they are learning. “In the Making” is a successful attempt to do just that. Guitarist AJ Cheek expressed his opinion about the new direction of the band in a press release, saying, “We intentionally sought to progress in how our record would sound this time. It’s not a complete departure from the last records’ sound, but more an accent of it, with a bit more depth of emotion.”
“Sleeping In” kicks off the album as a song of encouragement for those facing their various insecurities. “You caught me sleeping in, / I’m still hiding, I’m still waiting. / I need you here with me to face the world outside. / Cause I’m tired of sleeping in. / Open up my eyes / I’m tired of sleeping in a world that’s dying to wake up!”
The second track, “It’s True,” is about the things we do that hurt God and tear us away from Him. Even though we sin over and over again, this song reminds us that “Your grace is unstoppable / It’s bigger than what we’ve done / or how we feel / It’s true…” We can’t mess up God’ plan for our lives, no matter how hard we try. Even if our lives seem to be spinning out of control, they are not out of God’s control.
One of the album’s highlights is a very original song entitled, “Topics.” It’s about secrets that teenagers and students are afraid to tell anyone. The band members stated that while on the road, kids will tell them things that they are afraid to tell their parents or church leaders. They are afraid of ridicule or negative reactions. So in the mean time they are in trouble and won’t ask for help. This song is saying that we shouldn’t close our eyes to the truth of what is happening to our kids, and we should be ready to help and love them through whatever problems they are having, not reject them for their failures. It’s always best to confide in someone who loves you when you are having a problem. “We avoid the topics, / we make the kids have secrets, / and when they are exposed and everyone else knows, / we say we never knew it, / that they had a problem, / cuz if we would have known, / we surely would have solved it. / But we can’t. It’s too late. / God, you’ve got to save us…” This song is great because it is asking people to open their eyes to what is really happening. Don’t close your eyes and pretend that nothing is wrong. Face the problems so you can help your youth face them and get through them too.
The last two songs, “When I’m alone,” and “Found my way back again,” speak to those who are living through difficult times. Sometimes there seems like no hope in a desperate situation. But with Christ, there is always hope. “Take me out of the dark, out of the place where I fell, and back with you…Just let Him in, let Him in tonight.” The music is slow and sweet, and full of comfort. There will be a time in everyone’s life where there is only one person who can pull you out of the miry clay, and that’s Jesus.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In a press release, Josh Pearson says, “I believe that we are called to write about both the light that shines in the darkness, and about the darkness that does not understand it. I believe that honesty always breaks down walls. Healing begins when we are able to, first of all, be honest before God. Secondly, be honest and vulnerable with one another. I hope that our songs reflect this idea, and that, when people listen to Nevertheless, they get a sense that God loves them, and wants to talk to them.”
Listeners should get exactly that: a good sense that God loves them, and He alone can and will heal. Over all, I really enjoyed this album, and the messages of hope and endurance should be something that draws many young Christians to this band. Good job guys!
Rating: 9.2 out of 10 (92%, A-)
Review written by: Liz Zelinski | Review can also be found here.
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from ChristianMusicReview.org. Click here to visit ChristianMusicReview.org today!
INDIE ENSEMBLE POURS LIFE INTO RECORD NO. 2| Posted September 29, 2008
What started out as a high school hobby band just outside of Chattanooga, Tenn., has turned into a full-fledge killer rock outfit. Sure, the median age of Nevertheless is 23, but during the last six years of graduations, marriages and road life, the arresting quintet has had more than its share of growth. In the Making… is the recorded proof.
Originally known as a spunky, independent band, the ensemble has progressed past the waning emo fads of a few years back to produce a record that still pays homage to its electric indie roots while purporting a riper sound.
“Sleeping In” commences the record with a pulsing melodic piano, alluding to 11 songs of added depth, as it addresses insecurity head on. And in a much-needed commentary, “It’s True” insists God is unchanging, despite Christians’ often-hypocritical behavior.
“Cross My Heart” and “Long Shot” will still stir concertgoers crazy with slick hooks, hyperactive rhythms and catchy lyrics. But with a goal to “write about both the light that shines in the darkness and about the darkness that does not understand it,” it is the contemplative Nevertheless that begs to be heard.
“It’s No Secret” marries its mainly acoustic instrumentation with an aching plea: “I wonder what you think of me/When I put your name in spotlights/Run into the dark night all alone/I love like I’m changing with the seasons/When you give me every reason to stay by your side/But still I hide/It’s no secret… I need you now.”
And though, lyrically, Nevertheless shows evidence of advancement, less than poetic lyrics and undiscriminating phrases still dilute verse and chorus here and there. For a sophomore effort, the band is still evolving—a good sign of life in any artist. Everyone needs time to mature. Consider Nevertheless way ahead of the curve. –Andrew Greer
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CMCentral.com. Click here to visit CMCentral.com today!
3/5| Posted August 24, 2011
In The Making is, in my opinion, the weaker of the two Nevertheless albums. I enjoy their sound but the fact that more than half of the tracks are slow acoustic ones just makes this album a tad bit boring. There are some really good rockers on this album that bump my rating up slightly but the other tracks just made me a bit bored. Rock fans would want to download the rock tracks.
Absolutely Incredible| Posted June 27, 2009
I didn't really like Nevertheless before they came out with this album. There were a few songs I enjoyed, but when I heard this CD, I loved them ALL!! These songs are just so amazing and incredible. I really like Topics, Rest, and It's No Secret. The sound these guys have on the album in unforgettable.
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