Johnathan Rice - Good Graces
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| Johnathan Rice - Good Graces |
Release Date: 25th November 2013
Mr Rice describes this album as a
healing record that he wrote as a way to help people he loves to come through
some dark times which, as a sentiment, is pretty awesome. I've had one or two
dark moments (haven't we all?) and if somebody had written me an album to say
'Hey buddy, it's alright, things will get better' then I would probably have
had a good cry and then gone outside to fall in love with the world again. As the
album begins with the gentle, sandy swing of 'Acapulco Gold' it is immediately
obvious that Rice is in healing, empathetic mood and the fact that he is
channelling Evan Dando's voice only makes this all the warmer on your ears. The
slow stomp of 'My Heart Belongs To You' is somewhere between Flaming Lips and
the Killers with Jack Johnson on vocal duty which is a group of guys I'd want
around me if I was feeling bummed out so, again, spot on. Things get a little
livelier on 'Nowhere At The Speed Of Light' which is full of jangly guitars,
Rice's dreamy vocal and punchy dreams which make you want to get out of your
funk and in to the shower, at the very least. Considering when this album was recorded
and subsequently released, 'Lou Rider' is an incredibly timely stylistic homage
to the much missed Lou Reed with Rice talking on that oh-so-cool rock star
drawl and roping in some doop-doop style backing vocalists for extra soul
effect. I think we're ready to put some clean clothes on now.
The hopeful, optimistic opening
strains of 'Empty Head' are like opening your front door and immediately
getting a smile and a nod from the postman as you feel the sun on your skin for
the first time in days. 'Good Graces' immediately takes up the mantle with
Dylan-esque lyrical structures and a bouncy acoustic riff that will help you
walk down the street to the shop for some proper food and, most importantly, a
little human interaction. The crescendo ending of 'Good Graces' needs to be
played to a Springsteen sized crowd for maximum sing-a-long impact but for now
it's just fine rattling round my head. As we hit the final third of the album,
'Surfer's Lament' is mariachi-lite music mixed with expansive vocal effects and
Dick Dale guitars that transport you to a beach party in Hawaii where you are
bound to be having a good time. The gently twanging guitars of 'Soldiers' would
be perfect to wake up on said Hawaiian beach to the morning after the night
before as the sea gently nibbles your toes and Rice's voice tickles your ears.
To wrap it all up, 'That Summer Feeling' comes along as a kind of "my work
here is done" message, Mary Poppins for the bummed out generation, if you
will. Rice obviously understands pain and would be a good guy to have around if
you needed a shoulder cry on so I'm glad, for his loved ones, that they have
him but sad that this album only exists because some people had to go through
dark times. Forget time, music is the true great healer here. .
More information: https://www.facebook.com/JohnathanRice