There's certain music that just reeks of summertime: Oldies radio, the Macarena and the punk-reggae of Sublime. There's something about the music that makes you want to hop in your red convertible, drive to the beach and set up the volleyball net with your toned and tanned buddies and their babes. And of course, you'll pack a stereo so you can crank out the slammin' summer tunes. This summer, we've all got a new musical option to pop into the tape deck on those nights when we want to roll down the windows and cruise over to the ice cream shop. Everything's "Super Natural" is summer music at its best.

In fact, "summer music" might be the best description for Everything's style, which combines southern rock and funk with oh-so-smooth horns and catchy pop hooks to create an irresistible groove that defies simple characterization. The band's title provides a way to understand what they do--a unique ammalgamation of musical styles and influences that range the musical gamut. Rock, soul, funk, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, reggae, ska--in other words, everything. Think Dave Matthew's meets Third Eye Blind meets Lynyrd Skynyrd meets Sublime meets They Might Be Giants meets The Violent Femmes meets Hootie meets (insert your favorite band here) meets (insert second favorite band), etc...

After meeting at James Madison University, the six members of Everything have been playing together for eight years, and have accumulated an impressive set of credentials to bring to their national label debut. They've self-marketed over 50,000 copies of their three previous CD releases. Their 1996 self-titled album was nominated for best rock album by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. For the past five years, they've been playing 200 live shows a year, and Pollstar listed them as one of the top grossing concert tours for four months in 1996. As a result of their heavy touring schedule, along with successful CD-ROM and Internet promotions, they've built a big name for themselves at college campuses across the southern United States.

"Super Natural" is a great way to introduce the band to the rest of the world. If Everything gets any alt-rock radio play this summer, it will most likely be their good-time-free-love anthem, "Hooch." A booming dance-pop bassline and a silky smooth saxophone solo provide an ultra-groovy background for the sing-a-long party lyrics. Crank this up at your next barbeque and I guarantee the neighborhood will drop what they're doing to join in the chorus. As fun as "Hooch" is, unfortunately it's not the most representative of Everything's sound. "Good Thing" gives perhaps the best example of the organic, earthy pop melodies that make Everything so much fun. Opening with a simple saxophone the songs heats up into a funky Carribean rhythm before bringing in a chorus driven by killer guitar lick. The saxophone swirls throughout, intertwining with the go-go beat. The lyrics display the attitude of Everything:

They sang about love to St. Luicia
They had a parade, they had a party, people staying up til the dawn
The people sang loud into the night, the deep blue night and the drums were right
The dancing went on all night long, until the orange of the early morning
You got a good thing, gonna have a good thing

Yeah--it's say-nothing music, but "Hooch" and "Good Thing" are the best party tunes since Young MC's "Bust a Move." Plus, you get the added bonus of musical talent. These guys know their instruments and aren't afraid to show it. Check out the percussion on "Upon these Dreams", the trombone/sax ditties on "Spent" or the funky Carribean guitar on "Ladybug." In addition, lead singer Craig Honeycutt's voice shows the range and fine tuning that comes from singing 200 shows a year. Yet for all the sweet instrumental flourishes, the individuals never outshine the rest of the band. Everthing works together to produce tightly crafted pop songs that still retain the improvisational flavor of the live band.

Like last summer's "Tubthumper", Everything has the potential to find one-hit-wonder fame in "Hooch", but that would be so unfortunate. I realized while writing this review that it's been a long time since I've been so excited about a band that I put their album on repeat for hours. Everything is that kind of band. As summer approaches, prepare to hear "Hooch" on your local radio--and if you don't, call and request it. Once you hear it, you'll of course love it, and then you'll go buy "Super Natural". Thus will begin the grooviest summer of your life. Trust me--I'm living it.