At 16, Christine Evans finished her nation-wide Canadian tour, attends the prestigious arts school, Interlochen Academy, and has just released sophomore album "Push."
That’s right, I said “sophomore,” and she co-produced it with studio wiz Tom Hall. She wrote all twelve tracks on “Push,” many of them before she was a teenager. While several cover the standard teen relationship issues, others address national concerns (opening rocker “A Nation Redeemed”), materialism (pop-rocker “Give It Up”), and self-knowledge (standout track “Let Me Be”). She’s a precocious thinker/writer, and the maturity spills over into her heart as well: Evans gives $1 from every copy of “Push” sold to Kids Help Phone, the 24-hour Canadian hotline for children and youth. Last summer’s Canadian tour was in support of the agency. Impressive, eh? (sliver of Canadian humor there).
Still, I’d have to qualify all this praise with a cautionary note: “Push” is the slightest bit uneven vocally. I love it that she openly studies with acclaimed NYC vocal coach Bill Riley, and when she’s on point, she’s great, imbuing her vocals with emotion at all the right moments (“Show Me the Way” and the beautifully-penned “Now I Sing”). But there are a few times when her voice thins out at the upper register, often when she’s pushing herself. The title track and “Believe” each contain moments of strain that I found somewhat distracting. And I hate to even mention them, because I like Christine Evans; I like her heart and her impressive writing chops. “Let Me Be” challenges listeners who would underestimate her: “I may be young, but I’m smarter than you said.” And she celebrates her own identity with lines like: “You walk, but I run/ You’re not me, I’m the only one.” These are empowering messages for teenage girls, all the more potent coming from a teenage girl. “Now I Sing” also includes vital words of spiritual affirmation and declaration, equally helpful for young listeners.
Christine Evans has much to offer, and while “Push” isn’t a complete knockout, it certainly offers enough of interest to redeem its shortcomings. I predict Christine Evans will improve with age and teach us all something special in years to come.
