The Evangelist (album)

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The Evangelist is the fifth solo album by Australian singer-songwriter Robert Forster, released in 2008 by Yep Roc. After the Go-Betweens split in 1989, Forster released several solo albums. The Go-Betweens reformed in 2000 and issued three more albums before the death of Grant McLennan in 2006. Forster then began finishing three songs they had started together, including the title track, which he wrote in a single day in August 2006.

Forster recorded The Evangelist in London with former Go-Betweens members Adele Pickvance (bass) and Glenn Thompson (drums), working with producers Mark Wallis and Dave Ruffy. They even set up McLennan’s guitar and amplifier in the studio as a tribute. The sessions also featured a string quartet, including Audrey Riley, and drew on players who had previously contributed to the Go-Betweens’ 1986 album Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express.

The Evangelist was released in Europe on 4 April 2008, in the United Kingdom on 21 April, in Australia on 26 April, and in the United States on 29 April. It received strong reviews, earning a Metacritic score of 81/100 based on 11 critics, indicating universal acclaim. Critics praised its craft and emotional reach: AllMusic’s Thom Jurek called it Forster’s most fully realized solo album yet; Slant Magazine’s Jonathan Keefe highlighted its craftsmanship and how it honors McLennan’s memory; Uncut’s Alastair McKay found it cohesive and moving. Some reviews were more mixed, such as The Guardian’s Jude Rogers, who felt later tracks lacked subtlety, and Pitchfork’s Joshua Klein, who found it welcoming but somewhat incomplete. Mojo’s Andy Fyfe described it as beautiful and heartfelt. All songs were written by Robert Forster, unless noted.