In the Ever (Bonus Track Version)

iTunes Review

Women and God — not necessarily in that order — are the two big topics on Mason Jennings’ mind these days. Judging by the tunes on 2008's In the Ever, the singer/songwriter seems fairly confident about the former and somewhat confused about the latter. Of course, Jennings has been writing with eloquence about matters of the heart and spirit for some time, and his homespun vocals and acoustic guitar picking make his most profound meditations sound unpretentious. On this album, “How Deep Is That River,” “My Perfect Lover,” and “I Love You and Buddha Too” explore issues of spiritual yearning and doubt with a refreshing naturalness. Jennings’ love songs tend to be coy and sweet and the buoyant “Fighter Girl” and the countrified live cut “Your New Man” get a bit cute, but they're redeemed by their clever wordplay. “Memphis, Tennessee” (not the Chuck Berry tune) reaffirms his links with traditional folk. A particular standout, “Soldier Boy” is a portrait of an embittered warrior set to a rocking track. In the Ever lacks some of the dynamic production that made Mason’s last album, Boneclouds, so arresting, but Jennings continues to uphold his high standards for smart, tuneful folk-pop on this release.