DB Edmunds, the former drummer/vocalist/songwriter for the late ‘90s power pop cult heroes Gladhands, has always been a master of delivering melody and hooks that embed into your brain, taking up permanent residence. His latest solo effort, Everybody Knows by Now, feels like the culmination of decades of songwriting prowess, heartfelt lyricism, and an intimate understanding of his craft. While his past endeavors with Gladhands and The Stars Explode churned out some fantastic material, it’s in his solo work that Edmunds has found a way to channel his inner self into its purest form.
From the opening track, “Give It All You Got,” Everybody Knows by Now establishes itself as a deeply introspective yet accessible record. It carries an air of wistfulness, blending shimmering guitars with Edmunds’ warm, earnest vocals. The production is clean but not overly polished, allowing the raw emotion of the songs to shine through. “Chasing Yesterday” took an unexpected turn into that early ’80s Crosby Stills & Nash sound (that didn’t suck) and highlights Edmunds’ ability to combine lyrical vulnerability with melodies so sweet that you’ll need to see a dentist after jamming it.
Being bored isn’t something you need to worry about when listening to Everybody Knows by Now. The tracks are a fine mix of emotions and moods that keep them from feeling stagnated or tired. “The Weight of the World” has Edmunds dipping into darker, more brooding territory, while “See the Lights Go Down” embodies a kind of Whiskeytown vibe while giving a nod to the best of ’70s power pop while still doing it in his own way. Edmunds’ storytelling really shines on closing track “This Time Around,” which bears a folky kind of lyrical vibe and creates a sense of vulnerability. Transparency is a hard thing to pull off without sounding self-centered but Edmunds pulls it off for what’s best for the song.
Everybody Knows by Now is an album I didn’t realize I needed to hear this year. Sometimes, I feel that artists try too hard to take you back to a time of innocence and youthfulness, and while escape is good, you always have to come back. DB Edmunds has mastered the art of capturing the spirit of nostalgia yet doesn’t allow the past to dictate the present or even the future. Everybody Knows by Now is an album that reminds me that life is short and that even the most minor connections with a person, place, or humanity can play a big part in our “wild ride” to who knows where.
You can purchase the album as a digital download, vinyl or CD here: https://dbedmunds.bandcamp.com/album/everybody-knows-by-now
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