Summary:The debut full-length release for the Canadian singer-songwriter features production from Black Keys' Patrick Carney, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Girls' Chet White.
Sometimes the album suffers a bit from how cohesive the themes (and some of the music) are, making it hard to pick one song out from another, but it's a minor complaint. Plus, there's something refreshing about how guileless these songs are.
A succession of producers--including Ariel Rechtshaid, Patrick Carney of the Black Keys and Jesso’s chief collaborator, former Girls bassist Chet “JR” White--have smoothed the fragility and murk of Jesso’s demos into a 70s-inspired production that accentuates the similarities between his songs and those of various vintage songwriters.
An album that is not demanding of the listener, however,is not watered down. Jesso has a McCartney like ear for infectious melodies thatAn album that is not demanding of the listener, however,is not watered down. Jesso has a McCartney like ear for infectious melodies that deliver messages which are not mentally taxing to understand. Jesso dlievers his lyrics simply without too many cringe-worthy. Do to its accessibility for a wide range of listeners expect this album to make many year end lists. Jesso isnt reinventing the wheel, he is just doing something that is over done, but doing it better than anyone else is the recent past…Expand
An wonderful album. Jesso packs it with McCartney-like songs, containing infectious melodies and haunting progressions that seem like aAn wonderful album. Jesso packs it with McCartney-like songs, containing infectious melodies and haunting progressions that seem like a Beatles-Elton John amalgamation of epic proportions. It's not a game-changer but no doubt this will put Jesso on the map. A wonderful album indeed.…Expand
A stellar album coming from a young man who originally didn't even want to sing his own songs. I hope he continues to do just that. LookingA stellar album coming from a young man who originally didn't even want to sing his own songs. I hope he continues to do just that. Looking forward to his next release to see if he experiments with new instrumentation.…Expand
Tobias Jesso Jr has every potential to be huge in 2015, because he is honest with his music. Ed Sheeran is huge, Sam Smith is huge, so it'sTobias Jesso Jr has every potential to be huge in 2015, because he is honest with his music. Ed Sheeran is huge, Sam Smith is huge, so it's the perfect timing for him to be the next Best New Artist nominee at the Grammys of 2016.
Read the whole review here: http://www.anartcalled.blogspot.gr/2015/03/tobias-jesso-jr-goon.html…Expand
Tobias Jesso Jr. has delivered us a poignant series of tracks emulating the sounds of 70's singer/songwriters like Elton John, Joe Cocker, andTobias Jesso Jr. has delivered us a poignant series of tracks emulating the sounds of 70's singer/songwriters like Elton John, Joe Cocker, and Harry Nilsson. The sound of the album itself may strike some as uninspired - simply replicating praised styles of the past in an attempt to secure success in today's difficult music industry - but I don't think Goon is one of those records. The vocal delivery, lyrics, and songwriting all maintain a level of tact and authenticity one doesn't find too terribly often. While it may not be the most ambitious album of the year, it is one of the most listenable. Certainly an argument against those who claim modern music has degraded into the same electro-pop song we all hear on the radio.…Expand
A great album to listen to while studying or with headphones at work, drinking coffee and trying to forget your problems. Looks like we have aA great album to listen to while studying or with headphones at work, drinking coffee and trying to forget your problems. Looks like we have a lil' spawn of Elton John or something in the works.…Expand
An album that is not demanding of the listener, however,is not watered down. Jesso has a McCartney like ear for infectious melodies thatAn album that is not demanding of the listener, however,is not watered down. Jesso has a McCartney like ear for infectious melodies that deliver messages which are not mentally taxing to understand. Jesso dlievers his lyrics simply without too many cringe-worthy. Do to its accessibility for a wide range of listeners expect this album to make many year end lists. Jesso isnt reinventing the wheel, he is just doing something that is over done, but doing it better than anyone else is the recent past.
a gorgeous, soulful, and earnest little album. Sure, the influences are as naked as they come. Some Elton here. Some McCartney there. Regardless, the songwriting and performances are far too winning to be overshadowed by who this sounds like.
Jesso packs it with McCartney-like songs, containing infectious melodies and haunting progressions that seem like a Beatles-Elton John amalgamation of epic proportions. It's not a game-changer but no doubt this will put Jesso on the map.…Expand
