#275: The Everly Brothers - A Date with the Everly Brothers (1960)

Zack: When we initially picked this batch, I understand that Emily’s main reason for selecting this album was, “one of those dudes died recently.” By the time you read this, I’m sure it won’t be that recently. And I also hope that Kid Rock keeps alive and kickin’ for as long as possible. Nevertheless, I’m really glad she did because this album was a real pleasant surprise. The Everly Brothers sound a bit like Simon and Garfunkel were bred in captivity with the Beatles, then those genes were spliced with some random country guitar player who is charged with nothing more than standing in the background and trying not to stand too close to the spittoon. None of those acts are my favorite in the world (although the third is sure close), but they each work in their own way and still sound great when combined. A Date with the Everly Brothers just worked from start to finish and you could hear the influence they’ve had in every harmony.

Favorite Tracks: Stick with Me Baby; Love Hurts; Cathy’s Clown

Emily: As Zack mentioned, one of my reasons for picking this album was because Phil Everly had recently passed away and, as a result, his name and brotherly band were in the news. My other reason was that I had also recently listened to Foreverly, an album of Everly Brothers covers by Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones. In their duets, Billie Joe and Norah reinterpret a '50s Everly Brothers album, Songs Our Daddy Taught Us. That album, as the name implies, is a collection of folk and country standards that the Everlys learned growing up. Though I haven't listened to the original, Foreverly combines beautiful harmonies with simple country undertones and surprisingly dark lyrics - an interesting and worthwhile listen. So that's what I expected going into A Date with the Everly Brothers - country-tinged folk, traditional yet dark lyrics, and harmonized duets. Aside from the harmonies, the two albums ended up not having much in common. Recorded and released in 1960, A Date with the Everly Brothers takes on pop and rock & roll without entirely losing the brothers' country roots. The resulting (original) music, combined with those signature harmonies, is early pop music at some of its best. Its influence on later '60s artists is clear, and it still completely holds up for a modern listener to enjoy.

Favorite Tracks: Cathy's Clown; Sigh Cry Almost Die; Donna Donna