DC Larson's JUKEBOX JURY

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Back in the Day, 2016

Evan Johns

Somewhere Over the Skyline / Panoramic Life

(Alternative Tentacles)

Evan left us in 2017. His name never adorned top sales charts, nor was his visage captured on wall posters. But such commercial accolades are as nothing, when contrasted with his imprint on music.

Across his 2013 and 2016 albums, Evan laid down his roots bona fides. (Not that need existed; the multi-instrumentalist - spitfire guitar being his ace - had previously established himself as both H-Bombs chieftain and Robert Gordon accomplice.) Guttural delivery bore unmistakably Lone Star State countenance, which advanced his common-man lyrics. Mandolin and banjo peeped through the pane. Rumbustious stomps made themselves heard, as did Tex-Mex spice additives and acoustic Blues blood affinity.

By making these discs newly accessible, Alternative Tentacles adds valuable works to the grand American Musics repertoire.

Somewhere Over the Skyline:

Recommended: "Guitars and Rock'n'Roll," "All Broke Down," "Souls with Broken Hearts," "Look Away," "Fun is Good," "Coolest Girl I Ever Knew," "Fess Up," "Thin Ice, Deep Water," "It's a Good Life"

Videos: "Guitars and Rock'n'Roll" "Fun is Good" "Coolest Girl I Ever Knew" "It's a Good Life"

Alternative Tentacles

Panoramic Life:

Recommended: "Shadows in the Snow," "Me and You, You and Me," "Highjacked," "All Alone," "Unfaithful Lies," "That Dog," "This Old Guitar and Me," "Goodbye Lonely Blues," "$75 Guitar"

Videos: "Shadows in the Snow" "Highjacked" "This Old Guitar and Me" "$75 Guitar"

Alternative Tentacles