There’s some great insight including:

• Tony wrote the bass line for Downtown and Max doesn’t think he’ll be able to play it live and sing at the same time!
• Complicated bass line is why Max isn’t playing bass for the live version of Curtain either.
• Trust Me is confirmed to be in the same character study style as Sunset Strip Bitch, as noted by your HQ team in their review.
• The opening line of Moon was a phrase from the real Victoria.
• Situation Infatuation was a late addition, and almost didn’t make the album!
• Curtain, as noted elsewhere, started as a song from Noel to Liam Gallagher. But its verse was pulled from an entirely different song originally
• Blood Brothers is Jon’s daughter’s favorite song.
• Downtown is about a politician or a preacher on TV; one who has a clean exterior but dark secrets lurking.
• Jon has an elevator in his house, and he owns an endangered cat (but not really)

The commentary tracks are great insight and we only wish we had this for the first three albums as well!

Eve 6′s 4th studio album, Speak In Code, makes its worldwide debut today as a streaming feature at Billboard.com. Tomorrow is the official release date to all retail sales outlets.

As music speaks to everyone in different ways, we thought it would be appropriate to have four hardcore fans give a “roundtable” review rather than a single Eve6MediaHQ review. Below are the initial thoughts of Ross, Nick, Jeff and Mike of the HQ. Something we pride ourselves on here at Media HQ is that we’re HARDCORE Eve 6 fans, but we’re not fanboys. Therefore, you might be surprised as to what caught our ears and how we feel this new album fits in with the rest of the Eve 6 library. We’ll first cover the impression of the album as a whole, and then break down the individual tracks. Keep in mind that all of this is EXTREMELY subjective and this is all based off of a weekend worth of listens (probably less than 10 total listens to the album for each of us). While this is probably more attention than any mainstream reviewer gives an album, we realize that our opinions of albums can change over time, based on a bevy of variables. This is all of our opinions, and we’ve decided to put it on the interwebs for all to see! We hope to hear our readers’ thoughts in the comments, and feel free to link to any reviews you may have written.

Aggregate Panel Scores: Self Titled – 8.8/10 | Horrorscope – 9.4/10 | It’s All In Your Head – 8/10 | Speak In Code – 7.4/10

Read the entire review after the jump!

Mike Skibbe - Eve 6 Media HQ Assistant Editor, Web Designer (Self Titled – 9, Horrorscope – 10, It’s All In Your Head – 7  [as is, 8 without "Hey Montana"])

I’m going to rank this one at an 8 out of 10 after the first weekend of play time. As I learn all the songs it could easily go up from there and will probably end up at a 9. My favorite album is Horrorscope, so I definitely dig the production value that Don Gilmore adds. And on Speak In Code much of that Horroscope feel is back… But it’s the lyrics that are holding me back from giving Speak In Code a full 10 right off the bat.

Lyrics are what drew me into Eve 6. Max Collins has a way of absolutely destroying words when he’s on his game. Take “Promise”: “I spit and stutter stuff and clutter worries in my worried corner, maladjusted just untrusted rusted sometimes brilliant busted thoughts”? That’s Eminem quality wordplay without all the drugs/murder/nonsense that follows Marshall Mather’s rap game.

Now, I’m not saying the lyrics didn’t get knocked out of the park on a couple songs – they did. And they’re backed by great pop-rock driving beats that are so distinctly Eve 6. In fact, I think it’s really amazing that we are sitting around reviewing a 4th studio album from Eve 6. It’s been 9 years and we have an album that, I think, picks up right where they left off without being too different or experimental for the sake of being different and experimental. This is an album that will grab the attention of past Eve 6 fans and bring some new ones into the fold. Eve 6 is back!

Nick Sheingold - Eve 6 Media HQ Contributor, Co-Founder (Self Titled – 8.5, Horrorscope – 8.5, IAIYH – 9)

With Speak In Code, Eve 6′s first album in nearly a decade has been met with great anticipation from a passionate fan base.I’m disappointed to say that the album will be a bit of a let down to some. As Eve 6′s audience has matured, it seems Max Collins is still writing in his signature style. Meaning witty wordplay, with occasionally sophomoric lyrics. The punchline of “Situation Infatuation” is that he’s talking about… Well… A penis. A 15 year old me might have appreciated it more than I do today. The saving grace for “Situation”, as well as others, is that the chord progression and melody is catchy, and well-produced.

Songs where Collins’ personal experiences over the last 10 years serve as inspiration tend to stand out most. Other songs seem more forced, both stylistically and lyrically. Tony Fagenson is a great drummer, but some of the drum patterns seem repetitive and uncreative.[Editor's note: Tony actually confirmed this "dirty little secret" in a recent interview on Westword.com. Good ears, Nick!] While I do enjoy a majority of the songs, I believe the sequencing may hurt the flow of the album. The album is catchy straight through, but what I find is that Eve 6 seems to be pandering to a very mainstream audience – but why? What are the odds of another mainstream hit almost 11 years after their last one?

Maybe I’m being harsh, but to me this album is a 6 out of 10.

Ross Sheingold - Editor-In-Chief, Creator of Eve 6 Media HQ (Self Titled – 9, Horrorscope – 9, IAIYH – 8.5)

I’ve grown up listening to Eve 6 – I first heard the band when I was 16 and now I’m 30. A lot has changed over that time, but somehow, each Eve 6 album spoke to me during a different period of my life. The sometimes angsty and punk-influenced Self Titled album helped me to get through what I perceived at the time as some tough high school years. Horrorscope’s slick production and “we’re on top of the world” cockiness was a perfect soundtrack to my early college years. The grittier and more emotional It’s All In Your Head spoke to me as I was completing college and heading into the real world. Then came Eve 6′s hiatus.

Luckily, during the years between It’s All In Your Head and Speak in Code, Max and Tony put out music under the Sugi Tap moniker. Once again, there was some innate connection between the messages in the songs and the circumstances of my life. The production style varied greatly from album to album, but Max’s mix of witty wordplay and relatable storytelling always struck a chord. Significant things were happening in Max’s life and while it didn’t directly correlate with what I was going through, I was still able to make some connections.

That brings us to today, and the imminent release of Speak In Code. The good news? Speak In Code is a catchy, dance-ey, highly listenable pop-rock album that will be perfect to spin all summer long. The production is high-quality and it is clear that a lot of time, thought and energy was put into the entire process. Unfortunately, after a weekend of listening, it is my least favorite of the four Eve 6 albums. There are highlights, and tracks that will probably live on as some of my favorite Eve 6 songs of all-time. But as a whole, the album seems like it is trying too hard to play to some undefined mainstream audience and to live up to the Eve 6 of old, instead of staying true to the emotional journey that the band has gone through the past eight plus years. There are some gems, and if you listen closely, you can follow a thread that involves Max coming to grips with personal demons and settling down in a serious relationship (and all the insecurities that come along with it). But more often, whether through the Pro Tools-heavy digital production, or the sometimes sophomoric (and not as witty) lyrics, the band seems content to make their songs relatable to a generation of short attention span digital natives.

In today’s music industry, it is almost impossible to balance trying to make a living while staying true to an artistic vision. In my opinion, Eve 6 had some songs in their Sugi Tap-era repertoire that would have done a better job doing the latter. Instead, they went back to the studio upon Jon’s return to the band and came out with some less introspective and more poppy songs with the hope that they’d force their way back into the mainstream. Don’t get me wrong. I’m so happy to even have the chance to hear NEW Eve 6 songs again. Many of them are fun and will get stuck in your head – you’ll want to hear them played live and will have fun doing so. I’ve been accused of being overly critical before, and that might be the case here. But it’s my opinion of the album in the context of Eve 6′s entire body of work and the current circumstances.

All of that said, I give this album a 7.5 out of 10 and would recommend it to any Eve 6 fan or a fan of pop rock.

Jeffrey Sturman - Eve 6 Media HQ Contributor (Self Titled: 9, Horrorscope 10, IAIYH: 7.5 [as released - 9 with Hey Montana removed and replaced by 405 & Burning Out]

Speak in Code – 8 out of 10

I can still vividly remember downloading Horrorscope off Napster when the album leaked in 2000! (For the record I went out and bought it as soon as the album actually came out.) While I enjoy all of the Eve 6 albums, Horrorscope has always been “the one” for me. I love the sound of the album and the production of it.

When Tony stated in interviews that Speak In Code would sound most like Horrorscope I became even more excited for the album. While i wish Speak In Code could be ranked as a 10 right away, I’m just not feeling that for a few reasons.

First off, the album is a really great effort by the band without a doubt! They spent years working on this album and it really does show in the end. I expect hardcore fans to really enjoy the album as well as the casual Eve 6 fan, and I also expect the band to gain a lot of new fans from the album. For me being an extremely hardcore fan who has intensely followed literally every phase of the band’s career since 1998 (and enjoys almost every song in their catalog), it’s really tough not to give this album a 10.

I posted a blog a while back about what tracks could possibly be on Speak In Code. Out of the 12 tracks, I got half of them. However there are some songs that over the last few years I said had to be on the new album, and three of those tracks are not. One of them is them is a bonus track called “Red & Black” which can be found on the ITunes Deluxe version of Speak In Code. Another is called “Strange Familiar Face,” originally a Brotherhood of Lost Dogs track that Eve 6 teased in an Eve 6 Log, and is believed to have been at least demo’ed for Speak In Code. In addition, an extremely rare track called “All These Things” really deserves to be perfected in the studio and heard by the fans. “All These Things” is an amazing song which has only been played once by the band at a live show (the first show back from their hiatus in 2007).

Those three songs added to this album would make it a 10 for me. Yes those three songs are THAT good! Hopefully the band will add these songs to their next record. The bottom line is Speak In Code is a really great Eve 6 album that the band and its fans can all be proud of. It is also a new stage in their musical journey that we as fans enjoy traveling on along with them. The future is EXTREMELY bright for Eve 6 fans. Go listen to Speak In Code today, you won’t be disappointed – TRUST ME.

Mike: First heard this song at moderate volume at work. Wasn’t too sure off the bat, but once you get a chance to crank the volume it fits in great as the first song on the album. It’s a good segue from the band’s time off, and apparent addiction issues, to the new studio album and a new start for Eve 6. “Speak In Code” comes from the lyrics of this song.

Nick: A high energy track that seems to touch on Collins’ bout with alcoholism. A strong bass line drives this uptempo track. Classic Eve 6 style, with the type of introspection fans embrace. This song is immediately grabbing, catchy, and memorable. Could this be a hit?

Jeff: I first heard this song as an acoustic version that Max performed in November of 2011.  It was catchy in that format but right after my first listen I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sold.  It took me a few listens to get into it, and once I did I really enjoyed it. When Eve 6 released the album version as an AOL Music exclusive, I was shocked.  In no way did I expect the song to rock like it does.  It’s got great riffs and some of the most honest lyrics Max has written in his career.  Great tune to kick off the album.

Ross: Clearly a standout track. As Mike and Nick mentioned, it is the perfect mix of poppy, upbeat Eve 6 while tapping into some deep emotion. Do yourself a favor and dig through our archives for the acoustic version that Jeff referenced above. In my opinion, this song is even better that way!

Nick: Max humorously recalls when his now wife, Victoria, took a trip to Mexico without him. His paranoid “fantasy” allows Max to demonstrate his good sense of humor. One of my favorite lyrics from the album appears on this track – “You don’t like my attitude well I don’t like your latitude”. Has a great beat, and one of the few songs written in a minor key on Speak In Code.

Ross: When this song first hit the web, it set off a firestorm of “is Don Gilmore overproducing Eve 6″ conjecture. Was Eve 6 turning into Good Charlotte? Breathe Carolina? No. The story of the song takes us to a place where a dancey beat is perfectly synergistic. I’m not sure what is getting played on alternative radio instead of this, but it sounds like a hit to me.

Mike: What more can be said about Victoria? This was the first promoted single from the new album and has been slowly making it’s way to radio stations around the country (currently 34 on the alternative rock charts, still not in Chicago though?!?). It’s also the first to feature a music Video.

Jeff: From everything I have seen, heard, and read, Victoria is a huge success with both the fans and the media.  Very few people outside of hardcore Eve 6 fans have any clue that this song is six years old.  Amazingly, outside of the production, the song not much has changed since then.  It was catchy then and clearly is even better now. The song has gotten a ton of radio airplay and has a video to support it – this is just the beginning for Eve 6 3.0!

Mike: This is the song that should be the feature song on the album and released as a single as soon as possible! This is a banner Eve 6 song. It’s catchy enough to blow up this summer, and the lyrical word play is everything that is originally brought me to Eve 6. You can google “situation infatuation” and won’t come up with anything but references to this song. How’s that for an original catch phrase? The beat on this one is slightly reminiscent of 80′s pop, but it doesn’t harm the song. I think it only helps add to the humor of a song about infatuation.

Nick: To me, this song has serious hit potential. This song is distinctly “Eve 6″, with fun lyrics about a woman. Or at least that’s how it seems. Once I realized this song was alluding to a male erection, my enjoyment of the song waned. Still, wouldn’t it be awesome if Eve 6 got a hit single out of a song about a one-night stand (“Here’s To The Night”) as well as a song about an erection?

Jeff: AMAZING, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD, SMASH HIT, INSANELY CATCHY. Take your pick, they all describe how good this song is!  There is no doubt that this song easily could have led off the album and been a lead single.  In a way it makes sense for it not to be – no reason to blow things up this early.  When this single hits the airwaves it’s going make Victoria look like “Hey Montana”!  ”Situation Infatuation” is simply perfect!  From every standpoint, lyrically, musically, and production wise the band simply nailed it!  This is without a doubt one of the best songs Eve 6 has EVER written!  There is a reason why they are opening live shows with it.  It is a lyrical masterpiece and the second the song ends you will want to hit the repeat button.

Ross: General consensus- this song is DESTINED for mainstream success! I can see a HILARIOUS tie-in with the Situation from Jersey Shore for a viral video. Perfect song to kick off a live set (it has essentially replaced Rescue in that role). Boners for everyone!

Ross: The progression of this song from 2004 to today is remarkable. In a couple of rare “Brotherhood Of Lost Dogs” recordings (found in the “Side Projects” section here on Media HQ), you can find this song in its most original form – as a track called “Can Of Worms.” The current version stays true to the original, but is clearly an evolved and much better. A standout track.

Jeff:  Let me get this out of the way first – B.F.G.F.? How about WTF?! I understand changing the name from “Can of Worms” once the lyrics changed, but the song is called “Best Friend’s Girlfriend,” I refuse to call it B.F.G.F! Having said that, the song rules! Best Friend’s Girlfriend is even older than Victoria. As Ross mentioned above, it was originally called Can of Worms and written for an acoustic project called “Brotherhood of Lost Dogs” which Max formed shortly after Eve 6 version 1.0 ended. While the basic structure and lyrical foundation are the same as they were when Max debuted it in 2005, this song has changed a lot more than Victoria. The song benefits from improved lyrics and a new bridge. Oh yeah – and it ROCKS! When I first heard that the band would be using a horn section on this song I wasn’t sure what to think. This is Eve 6 – not Reel Big Fish or Less than Jake, (no disrespect to either, by the way – both awesome bands who put on great live shows and have some great albums!) I guess I just didn’t know what an Eve 6 song would sound like with horns. Well, the answer is it sounds really cool. The Skeletones are a nice addition to the track and they don’t detract from the rest of the song at all. I don’t have any doubt that this could be a single as well.

Mike: Man, these first four songs bring it. Relentlessly. The horn sections from the Skeletone’s really add to the overall atmosphere. One doesn’t normally think of the word ‘lying’ rhyming with ‘time’, ‘wine’, and ‘spine’, but Max flows them all together seamlessly. I really like the chorus that Jon sings solo, it’s rare that we get to hear him sing lead.

Nick: Got to agree with Mike. Eve 6 brought the heat with the first 4 tracks. Fun to see the path this song has taken BFGF from it’s origins as a Brotherhood of Lost Dogs track. The horns from The Skeletones is a GREAT touch.

Jeff: To me, there are two songs on the album that are very much influenced by Don Gilmore and this is one of them.  I wasn’t sure what to think when I first heard the song. By the time the chorus hit, I could hear how catchy it was and enjoyed the great beat.  From a lyrical standpoint it’s not a tongue twister bonanza like Max is known for.  However, in addition to being a great wordsmith, Max is also a phenomenal storyteller.  This song is focused on telling a story not on being a rhyme-fest.  However, even on a perfect album, there are always some songs that you don’t like as much as others.  For me this is one of those songs.

Ross: This is a song that seems like a tack-on late in the album creation process and seems forced into the mix. I have the opposite take of Jeff. Maybe I’m dumb, but I can’t make sense of the song. Filled with cliche lyrics. Through the first verse and into the chorus, there was the potential that it was about someone who is gay and having trouble coming out to the world. But then the rest of the song happens. Not a fan. If not for the next track on the album, this would be my least favorite.

Mike: I wasn’t sure how to take this song. I thought I’d get a little insight by looking at the Credits for this song, but track 5 isn’t listed in the “Music By:” notes… odd. This is a little more electronic than typical Eve 6. A little more cheesy. Catchy, I suppose, but nothing notable in the lyrics and not my favorite song on the album.

Nick: This track reminds me of Blink 182. I’ve never been a huge fan of theirs, so that isn’t a positive to me. Very upbeat, intially forgettable. I get the feeling this one could grow on me though.

Nick: It’s time for a second Good Charlotte reference in this review. This one feels like a song GC left on Don Gilmore’s cutting room floor. I love the chord progression of the verses, but hate the key change in the hook. I’ll let everyone else complain about the lyrics – Ross, you got this covered?

Ross: Currently my least favorite song on the album, but it might be growing on me (evidenced by the fact that I’ve been randomly belting out the hook -”We used to go boooooowwwwlliiiiinng” – at random times throughout the weekend). The more I listen to this song, the more I realize it is the anti-”Friend Of Mine” (on IAIYH). The shallow friendship Max sings about in Blood Brothers is represented by the shallow lyrics “We used to, go bowling – we used to light fireworks in the pouring rain, we were tight – thick as thieves, cut from the same cloth indeed.” Meanwhile, the deep and thoughtful “Friend Of Mine” featured a similar nostalgic line, but in a more endearing and less cheesy way – “We walked the promenade in the rain, with velcro shoes and an ice cream stain.” As much as I try to defend this song, it is another one that seems forced into the mix so the album wasn’t filled with songs from the Sugi Tap era.

Mike: This song has been getting slammed for horrible lyrics. Most comments seem to be centered around “We used to go bowling…” I’m okay with the lyrics, as the general sentiment of the song is the loss of a close friendship. One that was so close even something mundane like bowling was fun. That strikes close to home for me, as I’ve been through that exact feeling. But, while I understand the song, and it strikes a chord, it’s not going on my list of best Eve 6 lyrics either. It does make me want to ask some question of Max as to who the song was written about.

Jeff: I said there were two songs on the album that are very much influenced by Don Gilmore – this is the other one.  Just like Ross, I can’t get it out of my head – more so than most of the other tunes on the album.  That says A LOT!  Perhaps there is reason why these two songs are back to back on the album, both are storytelling songs that have major influence by Don Gilmore.  As Nick referenced, I really expected to hear Max doing a duet with Brothers Madden of Good Charlotte on this tune. Lyrically it will hit home for a lot of people though – it’s a story many can relate to.

Mike: Promo single released ahead of Speak In Code. I will forever remember riding Amtrak back from MA while listening to this on repeat on my iPad while staring out the window. Technology is awesome, new single straight to my mobile device while on the go. There has been much discussion about this song already, with questions of whether or not Don Gilmore overproduces Eve 6… but everything is just right on this song. The lyrics fit the chords, the production is high but good, and it signaled that Eve 6 was back.

Jeff: This song became a favorite for me the first time I heard it a few years back. It’s high energy, has great lyrics and is just a really fun song!  Because it has been around for two years and been played live a lot during that time, the band has been able to benefit from making some changes live and seeing how they work.   Once Jon returned to the band he made some changes to the riff that make it sound more crisp and a little less edgy.  It has become a fan favorite and I expect to see it on setlists for a long time.

Ross: Hmmmmm, I thought the “does Don Gilmore overproduce Eve 6″ debate was sparked by Victoria (evidenced by my previous passage above). Maybe it was Lost & Found. Anyway, this song is perfect for the album and one of my favorites. A bit of introspection from Max, a positive message, a fun analogy in the chorus. This is what I expected for this album.

Nick: Agree with Ross – another introspective song from Collins, possibly an ode to those who suffered through similar problems as he did. I immediately connected to this song upon first listen when it was released several months ago. This one would have fit in well on any of the bands previous releases.

Mike: Pretty sure Ross will mention the Third Eye Blind feel of this song. The opening lines reminded me of a couple Stroke 9 licks. Either way, this is a slower song, one that tries to be deep and intimate.

Ross: There’s no denying that at times, this one is a bit derivative. But anyone can relate to the message of the song, and the music is a bit different from the rest of the album. Would love to hear this as part of an acoustic portion of an Eve 6 set during a future tour.

Nick: Wouldn’t be an Eve 6 record without a ballad. This is a really uplifting song, despite the slow tempo. I’m a sucker for a good ballad, so this is an early frontrunner for my favorite track on Speak In Code.

Jeff: There is not much I can say about this song other than it is an EPIC track.  Well written, well produced, the lyircs and music match the mood of the song perfectly.

Mike: Ok, back to the catchy beats that are a heavy theme on this album. But seriously, what is this song about? A corporate career? That’s a new theme for Eve 6, isn’t it?

Nick: Great energy on this song. I really don’t understand what the song is about, or why he’s singing about it, but it’s a fun track. Great bass line, and the backup vocals during the chorus are a thing of beauty.

Ross: Call me crazy, but this almost seems like a sequel to “Good Lives” from IAIYH. Remember the line “Prep school kid with Wall Street glib, got a suit and a tie and a record with winners”? In my mind, “take me downtown on the company dime, punch me in the arm make sure I’m alive. I need a weekend gotta kick out the dust – get my motor running ‘cuz it’s starting to rust” is all about that same dude from “Good Lives” who has grown up and married, but now he’s pulling a Don Draper/Pete Campbell and making good on his promise to “never get better at growing up and learning to lie” (you’ll have to watch Madmen to know what I’m talking about here). I love when Max tells stories like this one – he’s the opposite of a businessman going out on the company dime and acting rowdy, but by writing about it, he can live out the fantasy.

Jeff: Directly above, Ross compares this song to “Good Lives.” I didn’t catch it previously but after reading his take on this song and listening to it a few more times, I must say he is spot on with his lyrical analysis and comparison to “Good Lives” and “Downtown” being a sequel.

Mike: This song reminds me a little of “Sunset Strip Bitch” where Max sung about another caricature of a man. Though “Trust Me” is written in the first person.

Ross: Mike – crazy that you made the “Sunset Strip Bitch” comparison. I was thinking the SAME thing. I feel like this song is about that same douchebag from Sunset Strip Bitch. He seems to have grown up, but he’s still an untrustworthy ass. Really interesting that we both got the same vibe! When we break it down song by song, this album really meshes with previous Eve 6 albums.

Jeff: By the time you get to the tenth track of most albums it’s all filler.  This couldn’t be farther from the truth on Speak In Code. “Trust Me” is just as good as the earlier songs on this album and is a great song overall.  Its continues with the trend of the album, fun, upbeat pop rock songs, that’s what this band is known for.

Nick: To contrast how I felt about Blood Brothers, I dislike the verses and love the chorus on this song. This one hasn’t really hooked me yet… Maybe it’s a grower? [Editor's note: can we somehow tie the statement "it's a grower" in with the discussion on "Situation Infatuation"? Please?]

Nick: Is this the spiritual successor of Open Road Song? I mean, it is a song about a car. Some of Max’s finest lyrical work on Speak In Code, delivering a complicated rhyme scheme, with clever lyrics over an up-tempo beat. I could imagine this one fitting in quite well on Horrorscope, and for many fans that’s the highest compliment I could give.

Mike: Eve 6 is all about the driving songs. Anytime and Open Road Song are two personal favorites. Eve 6 definitely sounds best blaring in my car. Everything is the next song for that driving themed Eve 6 playlist. On top of the mix of driving themes with relationships, there’s crazy lyric slaying from Max, and a rocking beat. Max said it best when introducing this song in Chicago in April: “This is called Everything, like the totality of things, like it’s a very comprehensive song.”

Ross: I can’t add much to what you guys said above, and I know Jeff is going to chime in with thoughts on how this song received a major teardown after it was “roadtested” last year. This is classic Eve 6 and I love it. I love that the 405 is referenced in this song. Makes me want to move to California and makes me want Eve 6 to start playing that awesome B-side on tour!

Jeff: Along with Situation Infatuation this is without a doubt a standout track on Speak In Code.  ”Everything” was played a few times in 2011 and was a good song when I heard its debut live in Charlotte N.C.  For Speak In Code the song was completely reworked!  The band took a wrecking ball to the verses of the song, leaving only the foundation and some of the chorus lyrics.  The pace, lyrics and effects on the song are all different.  While I really liked the previous version, the album version sounds much more complete and polished.  Musically it just grabs you from the second the track starts and it never lets up!  Lyrically it is a work of art and a classic Max Collins penned tune.  There is so much awesome lyrical content that you can’t pick it all up on the first or second listen, thats how good of a wordsmith Max really is.  Another hit single for sure!

Mike: I doubt I’m going to be the only one that says he likes the Sugi Tap version better. Great song, and I like the subtle lyric changes included on Speak In Code, but this is one song that I like the lack of over-production better on the Sugi version. This is a deep song with great lyrics, and doesn’t need to be pop-ified. It should be raw, and intimate.

Nick: One of my favorite Sugi Tap songs, and it made the cut on Speak In Code. The new background vocals add a very nice touch. l agree with Mike, though. This track is raw and emotional, and the “overproduction”, as some would refer to it, takes away from the feeling of the song. Still one of the best tracks on the album, and a great finish to the album.

Jeff: Without a doubt some of Max Collins’ best writing.  I don’t know a single person out there who can’t relate to the lyrics of “Pick Up the Pieces.” The song is a true classic.  I do have one issue though; this song debuted in 2006 with Max & Tony’s band The Sugi Tap.  That version was an instant favorite for me and many other fans.  The stripped down, acoustic style, of the original has always been one of the draws of the song. That being said, I understand Speak In Code is not a new Sugi Tap album and I can appreciate the band’s efforts to stay true to the song, while incorporating the Eve 6 sound.

Ross: I like that they ended the album with PUTP. Perhaps it prepares fans for what might come from the band in the future.  The lyrics in this song are amazing. “Your malice is volcanic. Your insecurity titanic. Your mood is always manic and I do suppose – this masquerade’s become a habit.” But I gotta ask – were the additions of  ”whooooaaaaaaa”  really necessary? I don’t think so.

This is an exciting day! Via “Dedicated Hatred” on the Eve 6 Media HQ message boards, we have learned that samples of Speak in Code are now up on the CDUniverse website. This is the first time we get to hear brand new songs such as “Lion’s Den,” “Blood Brothers,” “Moon,” “Downtown,” and “Trust Me.”

Head over to CDUniverse to whet your Eve 6 palette with some samples. Then, let us know what you think in the comments!

 Download individual files in the bootlegs section.
103 MB .ZIP (VBR MP3 Files)
1.05 GB .ZIP (24 bit FLAC files)

Check the bullets below for some fun things to keep an ear out for (courtesy of Mike Skibbe, who was at the show). If you haven’t done so already, read Skibbe’s AWESOME review of the show, right here on Media HQ!

• BFGF has horn accompaniment (as seen previously in Eve 6 Log #12). Situation Infatuation has a backing track as well.
• Check out Jon singing solo on a chorus of BFGF (Around 2:20)
• Maxisms should be documented from now until the end of eternity. Make sure to catch the end of Track9 which introduces ALWD acoustic (Track 10). And Max stops Curtain because the guy on Bass screwed up the same way as in soundcheck? He asks if he can come in whenever he wants…
• Tony has a bit of a new drum intro to Amphetamines.
• Victoria has a long “at the club, bumping” lead in.
• There was recorded music leading into Think Twice also. Might have been other times where instruments were being exchanged where music was used to fill the gap. These are examples of the higher production value of the new tour compared to the last couple years of shows.

Let us know if you spot any other interesting tidbits as you listen to the show. Here’s the metadata from Brian for his recordings:

Official info courtesy of Brian Emerick:

Eve 6
April 6, 2012
The Cubby Bear
Chicago, IL
Eve 6 Live At The Cubby Bear

Taper: Brian Emerick
Location: Clamped to railing FOB, left center, 10ft up
Source: CA-14 Cards > CA-9100 Pre-amp > Edirol R-09HR 24-bit 48K > SDHC
Conversion: SDHC > Audacity > xACT > FLAC (8)

Setlist:

01: Situation Infatuation
02: Promise
03: Amphetamines
04: BFGF
05: Think Twice
06: Leech
07: Nightmare
08: Lost and Found
09: Here’s To The Night
10: At Least We’re Dreaming *
11: Pick Up the Pieces
12: Victoria
13: On the Roof Again
14: Everything
15: Inside Out
16: Curtain (aborted)
17: Curtain
Encore:
18: Anytime
19: Open Road Song

———————-

* acoustic

Notes: Great crowd.

Thanks to Eve 6 for allowing free fan taping and trading.

With the new tour, Fans have the option of purchasing a VIP package. The package is touted as including an exclusive soundcheck performance, early access to purchase merchandise, pre-order of the album, and more.

I dragged several friends to the Chicago VIP event (it was my birthday so they had no choice). We arrived at the Cubby Bear at 5:15pm as indicated in an email from GroundCTRL sent two days prior to the event. That turned out to be a little early, as staff at the Cubby Bear indicated someone from the band would be out to gather VIP’s at 6pm. No problem though, the bar was open.

By about 6:15 a staffer was out to check in the VIP’s and hand out the VIP laminates and lanyard. I’d say there were about 40 fans in the group and the VIP packages were showing as sold out on the website. So, you can probably expect that number at the rest of the concert dates.

As we were being checked in it was clear that Eve 6 had started their soundcheck as familiar clips and phrases began to leak through the walls. While everyone was anxious to get in and experience soundcheck, the VIP’s were held out until things were dialed in.

At about 6:40 the doors were opened and the VIP’s were ushered into the venue. The band was up on stage and several tables were set up on the concert floor. The guys gave a “thanks for coming, welcome” shout out and introduced the song Tongue Tied, a timeless Eve 6 classic.

The second song introduced was At Least We’re Dreaming. Followers of Max Collins on Twitter will have noted that Max told the fans to learn this song for the tour:

Hi fan friends. Please learn all the words to “At Least We’re Dreaming” for this tour.

— Max Collins (@eve6max) April 5, 2012

So I was surprised that this song was being played in normal fashion during the VIP soundcheck performance. Would Tongue Tied and At Least We’re Dreaming be included in the main show later in the night?

As At Least We’re Dreaming came to an end, Max announced that the band would now be coming down to do a meet and greet with the VIP’s. This part was cool, at least for me, as I haven’t been one to hang around after shows trying to meet the guys. In an orderly fashion the VIP’s lined up to the side and groups were given a chance to meet the guys, get their laminates signed, and if you had a camera with, a staffer would snap a photo of you with Max, Jon, and Tony.

Let me just say that the guys were unassuming, and genuine. They were thanking everyone for coming, in a good mood, and taking their time. I guess I braced myself for some typical rockstar egomaniac behavior, for no good reason. Eve 6 is the real deal.

Since the album isn’t out yet, I had a small poster printed with the album art and brought it with to try to get signed. Tony didn’t even hesitate to grab it and get it signed. They recognized me as the “infamous Mike Skibbe” but I truly think that if you bring something cool with they would try to accommodate a quick request.

During the meet and great time the merchandise table was also opened up and t-shirts were available for purchase.

More about the experience after the jump:

So, it was about 7:30pm and the VIP pre-show stuff was winding down. My buddies and I headed across the street to grab some dinner at the Salt and Pepper diner since there was downtime before the opening act started at 8:30pm. It might be venue specific, but our VIP tags allowed us to leave and come back with no hassle.

The Cubby Bear “Kick off to the Baseball Season” show was sold out. While Namesake and Greek Fire were listed originally, there ended up being a third opening act called Super Happy Fun Club in between those two bands. I don’t know how SHFC got on the bill, and Eve 6 didn’t even seem to be aware of them when thanking the opening bands during their show, but I was pleasantly surprised that their lead singer turned out to be Stubhy from Lucky Boy’s Confusion, one of my favorite local bands. Stubhy was hilarious, doing a bit about visiting America for the first time in a classic Indian parody voice. (Think Apu from the Simpsons)

Greek Fire rocked the house, but damn, the light show was seizure inducing.

Enough of that though, we’re here for Eve 6. And according to my Twitter timeline Eve 6 was officially back at 11:24pm CST! (I was tweeting live from the show so I could keep track of the setlist.)

@eve6mediahq They’re baaaaaack

— Mike Skibbe (@mskibbe) April 7, 2012

First song out of the gate was the brand new song from Speak in Code, “Situation Infatuation”. Max was on point right from the word go on this song, as were Tony and Jon of course. I only mention Max because, having caught a couple shows – KC, Muskegon, and Aurora when they were playing with Matt Bair during the hiatus – Max seemed to take a little bit to get warmed up. All those shows started with Horrorscope’s Rescue and Promise. But Max seemed a little flat, or left out words during those first songs. This was NOT the case with last night’s show! You can tell he’s reenergized with the new tunes, Jon being back, and just the overall growing excitement as the tour kicks off. Don’t miss the revitalized Eve 6, go buy some tickets today!

Song 2 was Promise followed by Amphetamines, Best Friend’s Girlfriend (BFGF on the new album) Think Twice and Leetch. So far a great mix of old and new, and the crowd was really into the show at this point.

Next up was Nightmare. I was excited to hear this live as I don’t think I’ve caught it before. Over at Plastic Dwarf Warlord Alex previously noted that he didn’t have any record of it being played live while Eve 6 was together the first time. Well, it’s back now and was great to hear.

Following Nightmare was Lost and Found and then things were dialed back a bit for a Here’s to the Night. At one point a girl next to me asked if I was an Eve 6 fan and proceeded to tell me HTTN was her 8th grade graduation song. Ha! Hope she liked some of the other tunes and will discover that Eve 6 is so much more than HTTN. But the song was still a good performance.

And here’s where things got really interesting. Remember that tweet from Max above? Tony and Jon left the stage, Max picked up an acoustic guitar and, though I’m probably not getting the Maxism entirely correct, said something to the effect of it being a new tour and they were going to try something new tonight that they may or may not try again tomorrow. With Max on the guitar, and a large portion of the crowd singing along, At Least We’re Dreaming was a highlight of the evening. Please, please tell me someone has a bootleg of this performance. It was amazing, and I’m not usually a fan of the acoustic stuff.

Max hung onto the guitar for Pick Up the Pieces next, with Tony and Jon back and fully plugged in.

And then Victoria rocked the house with Max back on bass. On the Roof Again kept up the pace, rocking right into Everything from the new album and then the classic Inside Out.

Curtain was the final song from the main set, being introduced as the first song on Speak In Code. Max dropped the bass for this song. I missed what he said, but it sounded like someone was a guest on bass for this song, but I didn’t see anyone get on stage so I might have misheard. They started into the song, then Max stopped everyone a few lines in… and they restarted from the beginning.

Lights out, chants of “Five More Songs” and “Eve 6″ abounded. And they came back out for the encore.

The encore theme was driving, with fan favorite Anytime leading Open Road Song to close out the night. That’s 18 songs in the main concert, plus the two additional VIP pre-show songs! Show was over at about 12:45 am.

Overall thoughts: Go see a show on this tour as soon as possible. This is a significant step up from the last couple years of shows. The energy is amazing, you can tell the guys are revitalized. Eve 6 is back and in fine form.

Do the VIP package. It’s worth the $50 at least once even if it makes for a long night.

$2 credit to @amazonmp3! Be sure to use it on @Eve6‘s latest songs: amzn.to/HITUMBLR Promotion code: HITUMBLR

— Ross S (@Eve6MediaHQ) March 30, 2012

Here’s the mission, Eve 6 fans: boost sales of  Eve 6′s new single”Victoria” on Amazon MP3! This is a simple mission, as it won’t cost you ANY money and it will only take two minutes. Here are the step by step instructions for getting a $2 credit to Amazon MP3:

1. Sign into your account at Amazon.com
2. Type the following URL into your browser: http://amzn.to/HITUMBLR
3. Click the “Enter Your Code” button and enter “HITUMBLR” (a window will pop up, confirming your $2 credit)
4. Go and claim your FREE MP3 of Eve 6′s Victoria (just click the buy button, the credit will apply automatically)
5. Sign out of your Amazon account
6. Sign in to any OTHER Amazon accounts you have, rinse and repeat (if you have multiple Amazon accounts, you can do this over and over)

Eve 6′ers in other parts of the country – hang tight! We have it on good authority that the band will be announcing additional dates tomorrow (March 9), including the East Coast, and those tickets will go on sale on 3/14. Check out our thoughts on these “VIP” packages after the jump.

If you’ve been paying attention to the music industry the past few years, you’ll know that “VIP” packages for tours and album releases have become the norm. Labels and bands understand that in the digital age, touring revenue is their bread and butter, and they’re ready to cash in. We’re happy to report that Eve 6 is all-in on this trend, giving their fans the following exclusive opportunities for $50 (a $30 – $35 premium on top of the base ticket prices):

• 1 General Admission Concert Ticket ($15 – $20, depending on the venue) 
• Exclusive Pre Show Soundcheck Performance (priceless?)
• Meet and Greet with Eve 6 (priceless?)
• Pre-order of Eve 6′s New Album “Speak In Code” ($10 – $15) 
• Exclusive Souvenir Tour Laminate ($10?) 
• First Opportunity To Purchase Merchandise (No lines! Yay!)
• Early Access To The Concert (Front row! Yay) 

Of all the above-listed “VIP” benefits, the most valuable is probably the soundcheck experience. In the past, this is something that only the luckiest of lucky fans had the opportunity to experience. Now, Eve 6 is giving fans the opportunity to hear a couple of warmup songs hours before the show starts. Perhaps if you pester them enough, they’ll play a song that they have no intention of playing later in the night – anything is possible. Just know that if you’re planning to buy one of these VIP packages, you should be prepared to arrive at the venue at least 3-4 hours before showtime (if not more) to get the most out of your benefits.

The meet and greet with Eve 6 is an interesting addition to this package. Back in the late 90′s and early 00′s when Eve 6 was traveling around the country in a tour bus, meeting the band was a bit of a crapshoot. Many times, they’d clean up after the show and head right to their bus for some after-party fun. Toward the end of the “It’s All In Your Head” days, meeting the band became a lot easier. The “rock star” phase of their lives was over, the tour bus had become a tour van, and if you hung around after the show, you could easily “meet and greet” the band. During the post-hiatus (Matt Bair) days, the band was easier to meet and greet than ever before. Most nights, they’d come to the merch table after their performance and chat until the venue emptied.

Now, if you want to guarantee yourself an “official” chat with the guys, you’re gonna have to fork over some cash. That’s not to say they won’t stick around after the show and say “hey” if you’ve been a long time Eve 6′er who has chatted with them after shows for years. You might be bummed about this development, but think on the bright side – the only reason this is happening is because the band is BACK with their original members, going on a national tour, is signed to a label and is putting out a widely released album. It’s probably safe to say that most of us would give up the ad hoc meet and greets for a new album and official tour every day of the week! Also, there is no indication whether the meet and greet will be pre-show after the soundcheck or post-show, but we’d bet on pre-show.

The other components of the “VIP” Package are pretty sweet as well. If you’re obsessed with being up close and personal for the band’s performance, early entry in the venue will be worth its price in gold. Gone are the days of arriving at the venue five hours early to claim your spot at the front of the line. If you pay the premium and go VIP, you’ll be pretty much guaranteed a prime viewing spot. For the shorter members of the Eve 6 fan base, this is a no-brainer (although being in the front at a rock show means you’ll always have to stay vigilant for flying crowd surfers).

Getting a copy of the album shipped to your door on release day isn’t really an exclusive benefit, but it is one that you can actually put a monetary value on. We figure the album will be around $10-$15, and considering the fact that there is a near 100% chance you’ll be buying the album on release day, this benefit actual cuts the “VIP” package cost in half. Think about it – Tickets to the show cost $15, the album will cost you $15. That’s $30 right there. Then, for another $20, you’ll get the aforementioned benefits, making this whole thing almost a no-brainer for the hardcore Eve 6′er.

Without further ado, here are the Eve 6 tour dates so far (all the way up to the album release). Leave a comment and let us know which show you’ll be attending:

3/14/12              Austin, TX – SXSW – Red 7, Sony Electronics showcase (1:00 AM) — TICKETS
3/15/12              Austin, TX – SXSW – Speakeasy’s, Maurices/PlayNetwork day party (1:20 PM) — TICKETS
Austin, TX – SXSW – Lucky 13, Live Nation Showcase (9:40 PM) — TICKETS
3/16/12              Austin, TX – SXSW – Dirty Dog Bar, Fearless showcase (10:00 PM) — TICKETS
4/06/12              Chicago, IL – Cubby Bear Chicago — TICKETS
4/07/12              St. Louis, MO – Fubar — TICKETS
4/09/12              Lawrence, KS – The Granada — TICKETS
4/10/12              Oklahoma City, OK – ACM at UCO — TICKETS
4/12/12              Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre — TICKETS
4/14/12              Gunnison, CO – Western College of Colorado
4/15/12              Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep* — TICKETS
4/17/12              Salt Lake City, UT – Club Sound* — TICKETS
4/19/12              Seattle, WA – El Corazone* — TICKETS
4/20/12              Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater* — TICKETS
4/22/12              Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades* — TICKETS

*Denotes with special guests The Audition

iTunes Deluxe Bonus Tracks

• Underachiever
• Red & Black
• Inside Out (Acoustic)
• Here’s To The Night (Acoustic)

Underachiever has been a staple on recent Eve 6 setlists, so it was a bit of a surprise when it was left off the official tracklisting. Put simply, the fact that it didn’t make the cut for the top 12 is good news for anyone looking for a killer Eve 6 album on April 24. If you’re curious about what the song sounds like, check out the bootlegs section of Eve 6 Media HQ (specifically the 2011 bootlegs).

Red & Black is a Sugi Tap holdover, and a song that has been played live many times. It’s a slow jam, so it makes sense that it didn’t make the cut for what seems to be a very upbeat and Horrorscope-ish Eve 6 album. It’s also a fan favorite, so hearing an official Eve 6 version will surely make the fans happy. You can hear the Sugi Tap version of Red & Black on the “Side Projects” section of Eve 6 Media HQ

Inside Out and Here’s To The Night acoustic are pretty much throwaway tracks to any hardcore Eve 6 fan. While we all appreciate that a major reason Eve 6 still exists is because of those songs, we’ve heard them a million times and they don’t really offer any value on this album, even as bonus tracks.

So what are your thoughts, Eve 6 fans? Do these bonus tracks live up to expectations or fall flat? Leave a comment and let us know.

Happy Victoria day, Eve 6 fans!

You can’t buy the new single until tomorrow (unless you live in the U.K.), but you can listen to Eve 6′s first single off of “Speak In Code” in its entirety courtesy of MTV’s Buzzworthy blog (or via the embedded video below):

We’ve been jamming out to this one for a few weeks now (since some radio stations such as 93.3 KTCL in Denver started playing it early), and it is one of the most catchy Eve 6 songs ever.  There have been some comparisons to Good Charlotte and labelmate Breathe Carolina in terms of sound and production style, but after a few spins, you’ll find it distinctly Eve 6 – and you won’t want to stop listening.

Be sure to buy the track on iTunes or Amazon tomorrow!

• Wednesday, March 14 (1:05am – 1:55am) – “Red 7″ 
• Friday, March 16 (10:00pm – 10:40pm) – “Dirty Dog Bar” 

Being a part of SXSW is a great move for the band leading up to April’s release of their long-awaited fourth studio album, “Speak In Code.” For that one week in March, Austin is a music mecca – providing another opportunity for Eve 6 to boldly declare that they are in fact back.

Leave a comment and let us know if you’ll be attending either of these shows!

In coordination with the video uploads, Eve 6 changed their profile photo which now includes the cover art for Speak in Code!

The low resolution photo over at Facebook is too small to decipher, so Eve6MediaHQ is here to provide a proper image for the hardcore fans. Click on the cover below for a full size… And oh, you’re welcome.

Now, hardcore Eve 6′ers – get to decoding the Speak In Code cover art!

A couple of weeks ago, Lost & Found was added to Alternative Addiction’s Top 20 Singles chart. Today, they’ve made their debut at #8 on the charts. An impressive debut, yes. But shouldn’t this awesome track be number one?

I implore you, Eve 6 fans – tell your friends, tell your family – Eve 6 is BACK and Lost & Found should be #1 on Alternative Addiction!  Make it happen!

6:30 am wake-ups must mean we back to work. San Diego listen to @eve6max and I play acoustic and chat on 91x this morning! Pardon sleepiness

— TEF (@eve6tony) February 17, 2012

For those pining to hear it live who aren’t in the San Diego area, you can listen LIVE via online stream at the following link: http://www.91x.com/pages/listenlive . We don’t know the exact time they’ll be on, but be sure to in and set your favorite audio recording program to try to capture the performance!

Hat tip to little bro @Nick2Slick for the heads up 

You may have noticed that a couple of our posts about Eve 6′s new single “Victoria” from the past week have been disappeared from the site. It turns out that some radio stations around the country jumped the gun a bit on promotion, and it isn’t yet time to let that cat out of the bag. Out of respect for our favorite band, we’re pulling the posts. The good news is, we only have a couple of weeks until the song is available for all to hear – not only those in markets that have radio stations playing the song early.

In all of this, we learned something very interesting about the radio industry. Although they stream their stations on the internet for all to hear, getting requests from other parts of the country isn’t valuable to them. They need to gauge interest in a song based on their individual market. Therefore, when we revealed radio stations that were playing Victoria, it unleashed legions (or dozens) of Eve 6 fans from all of the country on radio stations’ request lines. Apparently, that doesn’t do anything for the band, or for the radio station – so we’d encourage you all cease your speed-dialing. If you don’t live in a market with a radio station that is currently playing Victoria, don’t bother calling and requesting – it actually might be detrimental to the band. It seems weird, but so are a lot of things about the music industry.

As an FYI, the markets that we know are playing Eve 6 “Victoria” so far are:

• Denver, Colorado
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Philadelphia, PA

We haven’t listed the stations playing the song in these markets, because we don’t want more “artificial” requests skewing the stats for program directors.

We have it on good authority that Victoria will release to radio on February 27 and should be available from Eve6.mtraks.com on February 28 (where you can no longer hear a sample of the song, since promotion for the song has NOT started yet).

In the meantime, hold yourself over by watching this awesome acoustic of “Victoria” by Max Collins from November 2011:

Check out the lyrics to Victoria after the jump…

She’s doing body shots off Italian guys in Mexico
I’m all alone
She’s dancing with a vampire to a bi-lingual disco
I’m all alone

Cause she went to la playa for the fire show
If I could be a fly up on the wall I would know

I don’t mean to be possessive
But baby please I’m getting desperate

No
I don’t believe
You went to bed at 10:15
Victoria
You’re tearing me up
You said you’d call
I waited up

I don’t know why I even try I need another tequila

She goes out lets her hair down bumps up
I’m all alone
She’s grooving to a Coldplay dance mix turned up
I’m all alone

Cause she went to la playa for the fire show
Am I in denial is she dancing alone?

You don’t like my attitude well I don’t like your latitude

No
I don’t believe
You went to bed at 10:15
Victoria
You’re tearing me up
You said you’d call
I waited up

I don’t know why I even try I need another tequila

Another tequila

I hope los gran mosquitos get ya
And you sun in stormy weather
I wish I never met ya

No
I don’t believe
You went to bed at 10:15
Victoria
You’re tearing me up
You said you’d call
I waited up

I gotta gotta say no
I don’t believe
You went to bed at 10:15
Victoria
You’re tearing me up
You said you’d call
I waited up

I don’t know why I even try I need another tequila

(Lyrics updated 2/29/2012 Based on Victoria Lyric Video-MKS)

When Eve 6 “got the band back together” it didn’t only mean Jon Siebels was returning as guitarist – it also meant that Don Gilmore would be back in the fold as producer. Don Gilmore was the man behind the board for Eve 6′s Platinum self-titled debut and Gold sophomore effort “Horrorscope.” Known for a slick sound, he has been behind some of the most successful modern rock albums from the early 90′s until today. You can find all of  Don Gilmore’s credits at AllMusic.com, but here’s a sampling of who he’s worked with: (read more after the jump)

Eve 6′ers – we’re on the prowl for a radio rip of Victoria (which is playing on 93.3 in Denver, Colorado and 96.3 in Salt Lake City, Utah). But while we’re waiting for the song to play, why not head over to “mtracks” and check out a short clip of Eve 6′s new single “Victoria.”

Once again, the track has a very “Horrorscope” sound to it. April 24th (Speak In Code day) can’t come soon enough!

In addition, the song is the 181st most played song on the station, according to this link.

So, Eve 6′ers, it’s time to tune to Area 93.3 on IHeartRadio, TunedIn Radio, or whatever radio app you use to listen to out of market stations. You JUST might get an early listen of Eve 6′s next new song! Exciting stuff!

While Eve 6 news has been coming fast and fresh this week surrounding the release of the “Lost & Found” single, we like this lyric video for the transition it creates from old to new Eve 6.

The video clips used span the gamut from the previous heyday of Eve 6 to more recent tours. You’ll spot archive footage of Jon’s spiky red hair and bridge piercing, Tony’s frosted tips, and even an appearance on MTV with Carson Daly. This is gracefully intermixed with footage of more recent tours with Matt Bair and finally Jon’s return to the band. And there’s plenty of front row fan footage so you might spot yourself on the video if you’re a long time fan.

http://eve6mediahq.com/Audio/Acoustic/Eve%206%20-%20Lost%20&%20Found%20(Acoustic).mp3

Full lyrics for Eve 6 Lost & Found after the jump…

Eve 6 – Lost & Found Lyrics

Heaven can you hear me I’m calling from a land line
I need a good connection I feel like I’m losing my mind
The day is just about to break I think it’s safe to say, so am i
Can you bring my legs to walk even though they’re shaking
will you get my head to stop all the plans its making
the clouds are just about to burst I think it’s safe to say, so am I

Open the flood gates now
let the water come down

The monster in the closet when the lights turned on
is just a jacket on a hanger and the fear is gone,
and the world keeps turning, sun keeps burning,
we are the lost and found
gonna make it through another day.

Can you train my mouth to shut when I feel like talking
get my ears to open up and let a little love in
lately I’m a ticking bomb and so are you and we are here together
Can you set my heart to beat no matter what I’m feeling
Will you take the wheel and drive, for miles I’ve been dealing
The day is just about to break, I think it’s safe to say, so am I.

Open the flood gates now
let the water come down

The monster in the closet when the lights turned on
is just a jacket on a hanger and the fear is gone
and the world keeps turning, sun keeps burning,
We are the lost and found
gonna make it through another day

In the dark before the dawn now,
I’m gonna hold it down with the lost and found.

The monster in the closet when the lights turned on
its just a jacket on a hanger and the fear is gone

and the world keeps turning, sun keeps burning,
we are the lost and found
and the world keeps turning, sun keeps burning,
we are the lost and found
Gonna make it through another day
Gonna make it through another day
and the world keeps turning, sun keeps burning,
we are the lost and found
Gonna make it through another day

Thanks to the guys for the Eve 6 Media HQ shout out after the acoustic performance!

The day is finally here! Doesn’t it feel good to buy Eve 6 music again?

Here’s the official Eve 6 Media HQ review of “Lost & Found”:

After a nine year hiatus, Lost & Found is a triumphant return to the scene for the boys (now men) of Eve 6. A perfect mix of Eve 6′s musical stylings through the years, Max Collins has added a bit of introspection to the witty lyrics he’s been honing since Eve 6′s self-titled debut in 1998. With producer Don Gilmore back in the fold, providing the slick sound that made him mega-bucks producing previous Eve 6 albums (Self-Titled, Horrorscope) as well as hits by Good Charlotte and Linkin Park, the forthcoming album “Speak In Code” (set to drop on April 24, 2012) is set up for success.

Lost & Found is a classic blend of Eve 6′s style through the years – from the witty lyrics of Self-Titled, to Horrorscope’s slick Don Gilmore production, to the more introspective lyrics of the more recent years. The song has been universally lauded by fans across the web, setting the stage for the great comeback we’ve all been waiting for.

In other news, the band seems to be continuing their embrace of social media, hosting a live UStream acoustic performance of “Lost & Found” and answering questions from fans afterwards. Be sure to tune in at 7PM EST to ask the burning questions you’ve been holding in for years. We’ll see you there!

Last week, we bombarded you with Eve 6 news – the new album, “Speak in Code” will be released on 4/24 and the new single “Victoria” will release to radio on 3/19. Even then, Fearless Records promised MORE news in a tweet:

Get ready, we’ve got some
news from @Eve6 coming next week!

— Fearless Records (@FearlessRecords) January 19, 2012

And today, via PupFresh.com, Eve 6 news has once again leaked out prior to the official announcement – Eve 6 will be releasing “Lost & Found” on 1/31!  You can even listen to a clip of the song on Amazon right now! It has a very Don Gilmore sound, reminiscent of Horrorscope – but evolved. This song isn’t likely to be aradio single, but more of an EP-style release intended to hold over the fans. We’d expect it to still be on the album, making Eve 6 Media HQ contributor, Jeff, two for two so far on his “Speak In Code” tracklist predictions.

What do you guys think of the sound?

Fans have long speculated what songs would be on the album now known as “Speak In Code.” Because of how long this album has been in the works, potential songs snowballed into even more potential songs and at this point, the band could release a solid double album and still have good songs left over.  As a fun exercise here at Eve 6 Media HQ, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of all the possible tracks that can possibly make their way onto “Speak In Code.”

Disclaimer: This list will only include songs that we know of (songs that have been played live, previously recorded under side projects, etc.), and it is very possible that there are many more that we’ve never ever heard. While Tony has gone on the record to state that they’ve recorded 16 tracks for “Speak In Code,” we’ve often noted that Tony stated in a 2003 interview that over 50 songs were written “It’s All in Your Head.” In other words,  the band has a history of producing a lot of music before putting out an album. As you read through the below post, you’ll realize that many of the possible selections have been played live over the last eight years since the band parted ways in 2004. All information below has been obtained via interaction with the band, interaction with other fans and attendance at live shows. Dates are as accurate as humanely possible. Please post any corrections in the comments.

1) Strange Familiar Face

This song is likely to have been written by Max Collins while Eve 6 was still together in 2003 or 2004, or very shortly after their hiatus began. The first known performance of the song was on 1/4/05 at the Spaceland Cafe in Los Angeles, CA by Brotherhood of Lost Dogs (a short-lived solo project that you can learn more about right here on Eve 6 Media HQ)

The song was reportedly recorded by The Sugi Tap in 2006 or 2007 but was never performed live.  It was thought to have been forgotten by the band until Max mentioned it in a personal conversation at a show in 2010. At that time, he revealed that they were thinking about recording it for the forthcoming Eve 6 album.  Official confirmation came on May 24, 2011 when Eve 6 released “EVElog #10 – Demoing 5.24.2011″

This peek inside of the studio provided the first listen of what the new Eve 6 album will sound like, and it sounds AMAZING!  While the song structure and lyrics for “Strange Familiar Face” are basically the same as when it was first played in 2005, it has without a doubt been updated and sounds like Eve 6. While in the past, the song was untitled, it was known to fans as “Familiar Face.” By now, all indications are that the official title will be  ”Strange Familiar Face”

2) Pick Up the Pieces

Pick Up the Pieces is a song that originated with Max and Tony’s side project, The Sugi Tap and was released on MySapce in 2006 when they reached the 1,000 friend mark.  It was an instant hit with fans and has long been thought to be a possible album single. It was a staple in setlists during The Sugi Tap era, as well as Eve 6 shows when the band reformed.

The song has also been performed acoustically on the DJRossStar’s Punk Rock show in 2007, which you can find right here on Eve 6 Media HQ (in the “audio” section)

In interviews, the band has confirmed a few songs from the Sugi Tap era would be on a future Eve 6 album and this is almost SURE to be one of them.

3) Little Tiny Everything

Little Tiny Everything was another Sugi Tap song that was released on MySpace in 2006, this time when the band reached the 3,000 friend mark.

It was also performed acoustically on the DJRossStar’s Punk Rock show in 2007.

The song was played at almost every known live The Sugi Tap show and at the Eve 6 comeback show on 10/20/07.  It has remained a regular song in Eve 6 setlists since.

4) Best Friend’s Girlfriend

Best Friend’s Girlfriend is another older song from the Brotherhood Of Lost Dogs days, previously known as “Can of Worms.”   The first known performance of the song was on 1/4/05 at the Spaceland Cafe in Los Angeles, CA:

This song was also confirmed to have been recorded by The Sugi Tap, but it was never released and no known live performance by The Sugi Tap exists.  Longtime fans received a great surprise in Charlotte, NC on April 29, 2011 when this song made its way onto a setlist.  The song has been reworked with new lyrics, a new song structure and a new name – Best Friends Girlfriend.

This song has been heard in studio sessions via EVElogs, and is likely on “Speak In Code”

5) Red and Black

Another Sugi Tap song that appeared on the Sugi Tap digital EP, and was played during live shows. When Eve 6 reformed with Matt Bair, it was immediately inserted the regular setlist  The song similar to the Sugi Tap version, but has an edgier sound.

During the early reformation days, Eve 6 mentioned that they were still working on the song,  and the original version was not a finished product.  Sure enough, on 6/27/09 at the Moghegan Sun in CT, the band played a newer version of the song with a brand new bridge and a new outro that took the song in a different direction that sounded great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNZAiAdm3dY&feature=player_detailpage#t=199s
(While the sound quality is not terrific, it’s all that is available from that show and you can hear the changes to the original.)

6) Victoria

Victoria is also a Sugi Tap song that was first played live in 2007.

It was thought to have been ditched by Eve 6 until it appeared at the Nov 1, 2010 label showcase at the Mercury Lounge in New York City.  It is very similar to the version The Sugi Tap played:

Max also played a fantastic acoustic version of this song at the Viper Room on November 13, 2011 which is even more poignant and brings the song to life:

It has been confirmed that Victoria will be the first single off “Speak In Code” and will be released to radio on March 19. It has quickly become a fan favorite, and is a great choice to help promote the band.

7) What Do You Think of Me Now

What Do You Think of Me Now was first heard in a soundcheck in August of 2008.  At that time Max was just working on the baseline and the lyrics heard in the first few lines of the song.  In subsequent months, the band mentioned that they would soon be integrating some new songs into their setlist. On Feb 6, 2009 in Boston, MA “What Do You Think Of Me Now” made its debut, and has been on Eve 6 set lists since.

Bad News

Bad News was first mentioned in an April Fool’s Day post that Tony made in 2010.  Eight months later, Eve 6 very graciously gave fans an awesome present for the holidays – a never before heard demo of the song.  It has appeared on set lists since.

9) Underachiever

Underachiever was first mentioned in the same 2010 April Fool’s Day post by Tony.  It debuted live on November 1st, 2010 at the Mercury Lounge in New York City:

10) Everything

Everything is one of the newest Eve 6 songs and is believed to have been written once Jon rejoined the band.  Before a show in Charlotte, NC on April 29, 2011, the band announced via Twitter that they would be playing a brand new song, and it turned out to be Everything. While on stage that night, they acknowledged that no one had heard the song outside of the band and there techs.  Of all the newer songs, this one is the most different from “vintage” Eve 6.  It is a different stlye for the band and is very catchy!

11) Lost & Found

Lost & Found is a song considered to be a true Eve 6 song, as it was never known rumored to have been recorded or played by Brotherhood of Lost Dogs or The Sugi Tap.  The song debuted on Februrary 20, 2010 in Fairfield CT and was an instant hit with fans!  Fun fact – over time, the band made a slight revision in the pre-chrous, changing the lyrics from “let the water come up to rush it down” to “let the water rush it down.” On June 25, 2010 the band released a new EVElog showing them recording Lost & Found in the studio.

The song has remanined a constant in set lists and has become a fan favorite since its debut.

12) Curtain

Curtain is a brand new song,  and likely one of the newest on the record.  No mention of the song had been made prior to Max playing an acoustic version live at the Viper Room on November 13, 2011.  The lyrics are some of the most emotional and honest that we’ve heard from Max in his career. Fun fact – the first verse of the song contains the phrase “Speak In Code,” which is the title of the new Eve 6 album.

There we have 12 songs, all of which have been played live and have received incredibly positive feedback from the fans.  If the new album ends up being 14 songs, there are still two open slots for potential songs that aren’t even on our radar.

Here are some speculative questions that we won’t know the answer to until an official track list is revealed:

• Will the band ditch some of the above and add other totally new songs?
• Will the song “All the Things”  (played only once at Eve 6′s first show back) get some love and attention in the studio and makes its way onto the new record? (unlikely, based on a tweet from Tony that mentioned it was not one of 16 songs recorded in the studio.)
• Will an incredibly catchy song like BOLD (Brotherhood of Lost Dogs) or Peace of Mind from The Sugi Tap EP be remained as Eve 6?
• Perhaps a song like Bottle of Brown from Brotherhood of Lost Dogs will reemerge, similar to what happened with “Strange Familiar Face”?”

Having as many songs to choose from as Eve 6 does at this point is a good problem to have, and it will result in another album full of songs that you don’t want to skip – just like their previous three records. New songs such as “Everything” and “Curtain” prove that the band has been writting some incredible new material, leaving the possibility that the remaining few songs on the album will be “brand new”  and never heard before.

2011 was a great year for Eve 6 fans and all signs point to the trend continuing in 2012.  Victoria will be released to radio on March 19, the album will officially be released on April 24, 2012 and there is sure to be a tour to support all of it.  As always, we’ll be there to document it all.