Well it took long enough, but the great Jason Falkner has released his newest full length solo CD. It contains the first original material in almost eight years (If you don’t count the excellent Bliss Decending EP). Is it worth the wait? Well, yes and no. To those who are Falkner-fanatics who bought the Japan only release in April then it is essential, like a oasis after a long desert journey. For the rest of us, it is a very good album that fits nicely into your power pop collection. Like The Beach Boys “Smiley Smile”, this is a solid bunt and not a home run. My guess is Jason has been too busy producing other projects over the past seven years (Air, Beck, Aimee Mann, etc.) and this feels like a “project” for his cult fan base. That aside, it delivers what you expect: Awesome arrangements, glorious hooks and fantastic melodies. It opens with “This Time” a great song that sets the pace with a rising chorus and driving beat. It follows with the ELO meets Devo gems “NYC” and “The Knew.” Then the beautiful “Stephanie tells me” continues this hit streak. No one can sound like him, and Falkner can bend your ear better than anyone outside of Roger Manning. After that it wanders into Beck-like territory before recovering with the inspirational ballad “Runaway,” with it’s wonderful chord progressions. It then slips into an introspective funk until the last track “I don’t mind” provides an amazing vocal acrobatic chorus “I haven’t smiled since yesterday, It’s alright. I’m okay.” It may not be as perfect as his earlier albums, but it comes damn close. What do you expect here? A bad review? When this gets to US outlets, I’ll post the information because even $37 is a bit steep for this import.
Jason Falkner’s Site | My Space | Bad News Japanese CDs | Amazon
Listen to “Stephanie Tells Me”
Listen to “This Time”
Maybe I’m looking for some songs that we not so nihilistic – closer to “Hello Mr. Future” from the IPO compilation. That’s what I expected and this is closer to Falkner’s angst via Beck. But hey, you have your opinion and that’s just okay with me.
I have to disagree. This album is the equal of the first two. I actually like it the best. I think your smiley smile reference is sooo off. He is still constantley pushing himself for new sounds and ideas. Not to mention the fact that the lyrics seem more personal. There’s a bit more sadness that gives the music alot of depth. underachiveing? well, i don’t know what you’re listening to.
I saw him in a small venue when he promoted the “Can you still Feel?” in NYC and found him very accessible. I kind of judge him a bit harshly here (rating only an 8) only because he is fully capable of doing so much better and he is underachiveing with this album.
I’m looking forward to hearing this one. I’m a major admirer of his music and I saw him in concert just last month. He played a few songs from the album and they sounded great.