Jphono1 recently evolved into a new line-up, which produced some insatiably exciting sonic directions on their latest record, Beyond Provisional.
The album finds guitarist, vocalist and keyboardist John Harrison and drummer John Crouch (Caltrop, Make, Kerbloki) joined by Alex Livingstone (Grand Champeen, Past Prayers) on bass, vocals and keys, who beefs up the group’s hard psychedelic rock sound. Livingstone also contributes to the record’s songwriting, creating a significant shift and growth even with the band’s compositional style. This is especially notable on the catchy ear candy of “All Charades,” which despite its heavy riffs, feels indebted to Brian Wilson’s approach to melodies and harmonies. The North Carolina-based group were able to mix the album themselves, a first for the band, and this helped to also give Beyond Provisional a particularly thunderous, wall-of-sound- like atmosphere that can completely pummel the listener. The snarling distorted guitars, glossy vocals and crashing drums absolutely explode out of tracks like the arresting “Goldtop” and the prog/grunge rock hybrids, “Magic Here” and “Midnight Moon.” The latter of these two tracks also gives a taste of this trio’s awesome jam potential. The band achieves total astral lift-off in this track and you could easily imagine them stretching it out much further with an even fiercer energy live on stage. Elsewhere on the album, you’re treated to heady ballads infused with smoldering guitar solos (“A New Way to Kick It”), punchy riff-laden instrumentals (“Ramkat”) and dense acid rockers that would be right at home on a Bevis Frond or Screaming Trees LP (“The Eyelids of Smiling Jenny”). From top to bottom, Jphono1 delivers the best of their strengths on this release, showing that they’re an ever progressing unit ready to adapt to any new change that might come their way. |
POTLUCKFOUNDATION.COM
CONTACT: [email protected] RELEASE DATE: August 16 2024 RIYL: Meat Puppets, Bevis Frond, Screaming Trees, Built To Spill, Brian Wilson, Dinosaur Jr Video for "Magic Here"
|
"Jphono1, the artistic moniker of Carrboro NC-based John Harrison. With at least 18 releases under his belt, the prolific and criminally underrated Jphono1 played a set that pulled from across his varied influences, but seemed to focus mostly on fuzzy meditative folk-pop and rollicking psychedelia."
Concert Addicts
...relaxed, gradually evolving guitar jams that combine Buffalo Springfield/CSN&Y canyon-rock with 13th Floor Elevators/Pink Floyd psychedelic, and hints of Ride/Antietam dreampop...
Big Takeover Magazine
"A head trip of fuzz-frayed psychedelic folk-rock."
Flagpole (Athens GA)
"There are Beach Boys on downers harmonies, ragged stoner guitar sounds and sense of not needing to be anywhere in a hurry."
Post To Wire
Concert Addicts
...relaxed, gradually evolving guitar jams that combine Buffalo Springfield/CSN&Y canyon-rock with 13th Floor Elevators/Pink Floyd psychedelic, and hints of Ride/Antietam dreampop...
Big Takeover Magazine
"A head trip of fuzz-frayed psychedelic folk-rock."
Flagpole (Athens GA)
"There are Beach Boys on downers harmonies, ragged stoner guitar sounds and sense of not needing to be anywhere in a hurry."
Post To Wire
Photo by Luke DIasio
Photo Everett Zuraw
