Auburn Slip

When a band has experienced as much turmoil and as many distractions as eve to adam., the result can be a very unfocused and inconsistent album — and eve to adam. has certainly had their share of setbacks since their formation in 1997, including a label deal that fell through, a relationship with producer Desmond Child that didn't work out, and various personnel changes. But Auburn Slip, the alternative rockers' debut album, is hardly uneven — quite the contrary. This is a very focused and consistent debut. If anything, all the headaches that founders Taki Sassaris (vocals) and his brother Alex Sassaris (drums) endured inspired them to give 100 percent in the studio; it's as if they paid too many dues to settle for a second-rate album. The band produced Auburn Slip with guitarist Sylvan Richardson, Jr., formerly of Simply Red, but this CD doesn't sound anything at all like that famous blue-eyed soul combo from England. Eve to adam.'s specialty is heavy and intense, yet highly melodic, alternative rock; Live is a prominent influence, and there are hints of Nirvana in their sound. But eve to adam. brings an energy of their own to passionate, emotional offerings like "World Between My Hands" and "Disgrace." The only thing eve to adam. has in common with Simply Red is a strong sense of melody; this band obviously isn't trying to get over on aggression alone, which is why the songs on Auburn Slip would probably still sound great if you forced the Sassaris brothers to unplug and record acoustic versions. But that's just speculation. What you know for certain is that eve to adam. has a highly promising debut in Auburn Slip.