- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: Jonquil
Album: One Hundred Suns
Label: Dovecote
Playtime: 30:50 min
Genre: Indie
URL:
Rip date: 2011-01-12
Street date: 2010-11-16
Size: 48.16 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 209 kbps / 4410kHz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
After two earlier releases, indie pop outfit Jonquil has moved to New YorkÆs
Dovecote Records, and have now released this eight-track digital release One
Hundred Suns through iTunes with the vinyl becoming available in early 2011.
They have already successfully toured Europe with Bombay Bicycle Club as well
as their stable mates Foals, and have recently been invited to perform at
SXSW 2011 where I expect them to be well received.
Part of the ôBlessing Forceö art movement in Oxford, Jonquil was originally
the solo project of front man Hugo Manuel. His project has since blossomed
from the early bedroom recording releases. ManuelÆs other solo work is
released under the name ôChad Valley.ö Other talented band members include
Sam Hudson Scott and Robin McDiarmid who also play in a number of side
bands/projects in the movement including Solid Gold Dragons.
After getting past the lingering feeling of familiarity on the first few
listens while at the same time not being able to place your finger firmly on
each of the influences, these tracks begin to charm. With subsequent
revisits, they won me over in the process and I found myself eventually
humming along.
The band make the self-described claim of ôPaul SimonÆs take on The Smiths.ö
If the SmithsÆ influence isnÆt immediately apparent, the upbeat pulse of Paul
SimonÆs world percussion is very much evident ù particularly on tracks such
as ôIt Never Rains.ö ôPillow Questö is notable for its refreshing brass. Sam
Hudson Scott provides a rich trumpet to support ManuelÆs infectious vocals.
The intros into ôFighting Smiles,ö öCompoundö and öSunday Nightö feel like a
throw-back in part to late Æ80s electro pop and they sneak into your senses.
Stand out tracks also include ôI Know I DonÆt Knowö and ôGet Up.ö
ôJonquilö is a tone of yellow taking its name from a genus of mostly
spring-flowering bulbs including daffodils. Similar to the simple joy that
daffodils bring in the spring with their sense of color, this record helps to
alleviate the current winter grey with cheery melodies from the outset.
HereÆs hoping the guys continue to bloom throughout future seasons.
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Fighting Smiles ( 3:23)
02. Get Up ( 3:52)
03. It Never Rains ( 4:41)
04. Pillow Quest ( 3:25)
05. Compound ( 4:09)
06. I Know I Don't Know ( 5:18)
07. Sunday Night ( 4:02)
08. Lions (Bonus Track) ( 2:00)
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