JUNIOR BOYS
so this is goodbye
Domino
JUNIOR BOYS
in the morning EP
Domino
· Hamilton, Ontario is the home of Junior Boys and the first Tim Horton’s doughnut shop!
Junior Boys have a distinctive voice as Canadian artists combining the softer side of dance rock with glitchy patterns and layered atmospheres. Their second release, so this is goodbye, is considerably more polished than 2004’s Last Exit. Confident vocals and attentive production definitely play a part in that, but there remains an indefinable quality captured in the music of this duo.
Most of the songs are pensive and quiet, incorporating some of the better noises familiar from Underworld’s heyday, that means some credit is due to XTC as well. Surprising on paper, but not in sound is the Boys cover of Frank Sinatra’s "When No One Cares," written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. Theirs is a minimal ode to a great song.
The main event, as far as the dance floor is concerned, is "In The Morning" – a collaboration with Andy Toma of Mouse on Mars. Clocking in at four minutes and change on the full-length, this catchy number has sex appeal, a strong melody and an existential beat. Its gravitational pull explains why it is the focus of the EP that features both the album version and an equally satisfying extended mix, courtesy of Glaswegian Alex Smoke. The other anchor track from so this is goodbye, "The Equalizer," is also given prominence on the five-song EP, that is rounded out by the interesting and rather lengthy "So Sleep."
Both releases have great qualities – just decide if you want to listen to the entire creation while sitting on your couch, reflecting on life or mix it up and sing along while walking down the street.
FULL-LENGTH 4/5
EP 3/5
JANE McCULLOUGH
|
Copyright ©2006 FFWD. All rights reserved.