Everybodyduck - Still Know How To Groove

Review by Paul M. Carhart
Originally published in The Lighthouse Electronic Magazine (TLeM)

Not punk, not really ska, not surf music, definitely not heavy metal and not really straight ahead rock & roll either, Everybodyduck certainly has a sound all their own. Probably classified as "alternative rock" (whatever that means) in most stores, Everybodyduck utilizes mostly clean guitars to rigorously charge through most of their relevant songs at a breakneck pace. Try putting The Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline and Five Iron Frenzy into your mental blender. Give it a spin and then add different singers.

Most of the songs on Still Know How To Groove are co-written by lead vocalist, Darin McWatters and guitarist, Tim Sovinec and proves that one thing Everybodyduck certainly has is a sense of humor about bringing forth the truth, regardless of who might get offended. Consider the lyrics to the second verse of the title track:

Well I've never played with cobras or walked on red hot coals
And I've never even touched a tambourine
I'm not very good at bingo, I don't worship shiny rocks
No don't have plans to wed my sister named Irene
Well I don't pray to statues, not even if they cry
Don't watch that Jesus station on TV all day long
Well I've never seen Elvis, don't have six billion kids
And I don't sing through my nose on every song

Many of the songs on this album are similarly witty, slightly barbed remarks that seem directed toward young Christians, turning the band's aforementioned humor to pretend Christians in "To Be Or Not," dancing in church in "Sunday Shoes," right down to lampooning whiners in the countryesque "Down At The Bottom Of A Well." Other songs such as "Consuming Fear" and "Hindsight" are more tender and encouraging... a welcome breather from the rest of this danceable album.

Lead vocalist, Darin McWatters has a likable voice that could be just as at home leading praise & worship than bringing this much needed truth to the surface of the often murky subject of religion. McWatters easily weaves his catchy melodies through his band's guitar driven music accompanied by co-vocalist, Audrey Hunsdon. In fact, it is the counter balance of McWatters and Hunsdon's interweaving melodies that causes Everybodyduck to stand out from any other band. While McWatters is rattling off his humorous lyrics, Hunsdon is often busy singing an entirely different melody underneath him. Hunsdon definitely is singing background vocals, but they barely qualify as such. At times she merely harmonies with McWatters' lead vocals, but at other times, Hunsdon is singing what can only be called one part harmonies behind him. The two vocals intertwine smoothly and seemingly effortlessly and lends an entirely unique vocal blend to Everybodyduck.

The highlight of the album would have to be "8" which is the story of a child's eighth birthday and how his friends all take advantage of his birthday party, only to ignore the birthday boy. Through a bit of wit and charm, the song clearly makes the point that this lonely kid on his birthday is probably how God feels. As is true with the other songs on this album, this song hits home and makes one consider where they are at in their walk.

Still Know How To Groove is a challenging album to listen to but if you are aware that the truth often hurts and you don't take yourself too seriously, you'll probably get a big kick out of Everybodyduck.

Related Information

For a year or so I was a CD reviewer for The Lighthouse Electronic Magazine (TLeM) where this review was originally published.

- Paul M. Carhart