Pointing to Evans as the central figure in this ensemble isn’t difficult seeing as there’re no less than fifteen odd accomplices contributing to the huge number of releases associated with ‘68 Comeback. He’s remained the sole constant. But it sounds as if it doesn’t really matter what Evans is surrounded by as long as there’s a beat for him to ride through a set of lyrics touching on women, life as a problem and whatever other mystical caveats blues based musics general discuss.
Tossing ‘68 Comeback into the category of blues or garage – or pretty much anything – winds up being pretty reductive. For the most part, there is that umpah beat going on, perhaps connecting the band with the revved up variety of country stuffs, but just as consistent is a stomp most associated with the Velvet Underground.
Granted that connection seems specious at best, but wading through the band’s Singles Collection the whole thing becomes relatively clear. Beginning the compilation with “Chantilly Rock (And Pony's Tail)” makes sense from an historical point of view, seeing as it’s the earliest song included here – there’s a single released a year prior, but neither song is represented. But the song’s dumb thudding points to Evans and company enjoying the downer moments of the Velvets’ glory. That guitar solo, perhaps more biting that revealing of chops, is another element copped from the sixties’ band.
A few tracks on “Flip, Flop, and Fly” basically reconstitutes “Chantilly.” The pacing and rhythm is the same. And as for that guitar solo, it might get a bit more abstract, but still retains the same sort of blues cum Lou Reed as the earlier foray into improv.
The combination of Velvets’ styled aggression and noise with garage tendencies isn’t new. And even Reed’s group trucked in the territory while attempting to move beyond it. So, with all these source materials floating around, what makes ‘68 Comeback worth a listen? It might take convincing, but these folks might have counted as one of the better informed garage acts riding the genre’s umpteenth wave at the turn of the century – it’s adherence to country flavor never hurts either.