Evora-Hurry-up-before-I-dieA song-writing talent is on show on Evoraalbum ‘Hurry Up Before I Die’ from the very first song. The opening track, Close To You, is a quality pop song that is simple and instantly identifiable after only one or two listens. The song is “reprised” at the end of the album in acoustic form, suggesting its position as the hook into the album, although maybe the second number Started To Wish You Well is the real best song while not being particularly pop-oriented.

However, the album is infected with a strain of musical conservatism that really holds it back. Musical breaks or vocal melodies never stray very far from where they start off – three songs (Running Scared, Meet Me By The Water and Tomorrow) have an identical six-second opening, and two more (Into The Fire and Any Other Way) have a piano playing a single note over and over at certain points. While not necessarily reasons in themselves for the album falling short of what it could have been, they are symptomatic of the game being played too safely.

The music here is treated the way an overprotective parent treats a child, afraid that if they let him wander too far he’ll be abducted or hit by a car without ever considering that the child needs to be let alone to see the world for himself. The music, like the child, may be pleasant and well-performing but ultimately it won’t capture the imagination or strike anyone as something special having never been given the chance to explore.

An example of this can be taken from the song Tell Me Your Name. When you listen to the song it is easy to get into, aided by the fact that lead singer Alan and featured singer Shannon have really good voices, but it lacks something to set it apart from other songs of the type. When it’s over it is hard to recall the melody or even the rhythm. This general tone of fine but not particularly memorable songs occurs throughout the album.

The two opening tracks manage to escape this problem, and the rest of the songs are of good enough quality to suggest that with a bit more creative courage Evora has the potential to make an album that does justice to their obvious talent.