Chattanooga indie-rockers Nevertheless took their name from Luke 5. When you consider the passage and hear their dynamic music, it makes a lot of sense.
In calling the first disciples, Jesus tells Peter to let down his nets again, after a night of fruitless labor. Although he is dubious, Peter “nevertheless” obeys. Therein lies the message of this youthful hard-rocking band: apart from Christ, we have nothing. In Him, everything is possible. Thus, “Live Like We’re Alive.” This hope permeates their debut album of vibrant well-crafted songs, “Live Like We’re Alive.”
The quintet gets right to the point with opener “The Real,” a guitar-driven up-tempo rocker that boldly addresses the issue of doubt. Frontman Josh Pearson and guitarist AJ Cheek share writing chores, on this instance joined by Kevin Kadish, and they lead with honesty. “Here I am tonight/ I can’t stand to fight/ This feeling of despair I hide/ I wonder are you there sometimes/ Sometimes we all wonder.”
Therein lies what sets Nevertheless apart from the myriad of pop and emo bands scattered across the landscape like so many dried autumn leaves: the match of their heartfelt mission and their perceptive honest lyrics. Insightful and expressive, their lyrics ride in on a flatbed of robust hooky rock to captivate the listener’s thinking. Considering the target audience of this youthful band, and the wide array of musical choices awaiting their attention, Nevertheless’ message is greatly helped by the band’s musical diversity. The album’s topics range from relationship woes (the percussive inventiveness of “Time” and “Perfect Chemistry”) to weightier spiritual subjects, like doubt, apathy, and persistence. They move quickly between varied tempos and time changes (“Lover”), airy transcendence (“Patience and Devotion”), relentless drums (“Let it Fall”) and sweet violin (closer “O’ Child”).
Standout tracks, and they are numerous for a debut album, include the burbling pop of “Lover,” accompanied by expressive lyrics like: “You can find me here with my head against the wall/ Lost in my regrets and every time I fall/ You catch me in Your hands/ You circle me like a wedding band.” The intelligent lyrics of “Losing Innocence” attack our complacency, and I loved the sparkling keys and tight harmonies of “Let It Fall,” especially played against Adam Rowe’s unyielding drums.
The title track’s slammin’ beats fit well with the song’s passionate declaration of intention, its message echoed again in the shimmering bridge of the melodic “O’ Child.” These Chattanooga rockers offer more than enough to stand out from the pack with “Live Like We’re Alive.”
