This came out in 2000 — or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
“I hate my life,” are the first words Joe Pernice sighs on Everyone Else is Evolving, the leadoff track on his quietly wonderful Chappaquiddick Skyline CD.
Well, for a guy with such a gloomy message, he sure has a lovely way of getting it across. On this first pseudo-solo album, Pernice — formerly of alt-country heroes The Scud Mountain Boys and one-half of roots-popsters The Pernice Brothers — casts his jaundiced eye on life, love and relationships, with magically melancholy results. Imagine Elvis Costello or Elliott Smith singing Nick Drake songs arranged by Brian Wilson while being backed by Tindersticks and you kinda see where Pernice is headed. If you need more hints, titles like Leave Me Alone, Nobody’s Watching and Theme To An Endless Bummer might help. Not that he’s Mr. Misery — Pernice’s lyrical poignancy is balanced by an elegant framework of acoustic guitars, rootsy arrangements and gently flowing rhythms that give the whole affair a lulling, reassuring optimism. He may hate his world — but I like it just fine, thanks very much.
