Austin’s Will Evans Project has gone electric.

This band first came to us in 2007

with a fantastic live-recorded acoustic

offering by a three-piece band. Since that

release, they have added a bassist and

recorded their first studio record, Planténga.

It was released last month at an

INsite Night at The Belmont.

The difference is apparent immediately,

from the opening track, “Mysteries,”

which introduces a great fuzzy bass

line, and continues through the killer

“Dead Wrong.”

I think that’s what surprised me the

most about Planténga. Being a big fan

of their acoustic work, I wasn’t sure if I

was going to like the electric version. I’m

happy to report the experimental rock

version of the band blew me away.

Not to say the whole album is a rocker.

“Maya” is a beautiful ballad, “In Trouble”

has a laid-back lounge tune feel, and “Like

Suicide” brings the blues to the forefront.

My favorite track on Planténga is a slow

jam called “Elaine.” It’s a song about a girl

who has a little bit too much fun with her

dad’s gun. The guitar is almost creepy with

a Door’s “The End” feel to it. And, I’m a

lyrics guy, and the song includes my favorite

line of the album, “A gunshot rang out

from the four-way stop of fame.”

You can pick this up on iTunes, but I’d

recommend seeing them live and picking

up the physical CD at the show. They’ll be

playing Boomerz in Oak Hill on 7/10 or

Juniors Ice House in Round Rock on 7/23.

The Will Evans Project is Will Evans

(vocals/guitar), Jason Pollan (guitar), Jeff

Hartsough (drums), John Olrech (bass).

Find out more about them at willevansproject.

com. – Sean Claes