here's two reviews from our archives
JONNY LIVES! 'HOLD STEADY'
By Diana P. Olano
If you're a British band, you've already got it one up to your
competition because I pretty much live for music from across the pond.
If you sound like a British band, but technically aren't from the land
of fish and chips, that's okay. So long as you have those sweet, sweet
English influences, I'm good. New York based Jonny Lives! fit the
category with their debut "Get Steady". Their first LP not only
combines the sounds of Brit rock, pop and punk, but you can most
definitely feel and hear what they take from their home in Manhattan's
Lower Eastside.
Album opener "No Good" showcases that definite pop, Kinks-ish sound,
heavy on the drum beats and girl-torturing-boy lyrics - "Am I good by
myself?" asks lead singer Jonny Dubowsky. Guitar-driven "Diamonds and
Roses" and "B-Side" are a little more rough around the edges, but
still command that pop sensibility that a majority of songs on album
have. In other words, they're just damn catchy, whether they're more
rockin' or not. The debut's first single "Get Steady", which the band
have said is lyrically about the "mentality of people spilling out of
the bars...not knowing if they are going to meet the love of their
life, get into a fight" in the LES, is a definite stand out track. "I
don't need no cheap success" declares Jonny on the immensely enjoyable
track. They combine all influences on this one and it couldn't have
worked better.
With a debut like this, Jonny Lives! have the potential to blow away
everyone here and abroad. Like Jonny says: they're ready, they're
ready.
-30-
YOU BE ELAN'
ELAN: TOGETHER AS ONE
By Diana P. Olano
Borrowing from dance hall, reggae, and all island genres in between,
performer Elan makes an impressive debut with his album "Together as
One". Elan, a California native, whose vocals are very reminiscent to
that of reggae vocalist and legend Bob Marley, introduces himself with
an eclectic mix of tracks: from the soft and sweet guitar love song
"Together as One" to the modernly R&B influenced "Girl", that if given
the chance could become the next dance club hit, to "Allnighter", a
calypso track given a little pop flavor thanks to accompanying vocals
from Gwen Stefani. The standout track, however, wasn't the one that
got help from Mrs. No Doubt, but rather from Jamaican artist Tami
Chynn (who compliments Elan's vocals more than Stefani ever could) on
synth-heavy and sultry "Don't You Go".
The album, which is excutive produced by another part of the No Doubt
camp, Tony Kanal, showcases songs that deal with social and economic
injustices he witnessed firsthand ("We Won't Stand for This" and "I
Wanna Yell") while on tour with Bob Marley's band. (Might explain
Elan's vocals which seem to channel the reggae god.) It's not only
about wooing the ladies with Elan. It's this diversity in lyrics and
beats that make "Together as One" an album that anyone can enjoy and
one that only makes us wonder what else this up-in-comer has in store.
-30-
competition because I pretty much live for music from across the pond.
If you sound like a British band, but technically aren't from the land
of fish and chips, that's okay. So long as you have those sweet, sweet
English influences, I'm good. New York based Jonny Lives! fit the
category with their debut "Get Steady". Their first LP not only
combines the sounds of Brit rock, pop and punk, but you can most
definitely feel and hear what they take from their home in Manhattan's
Lower Eastside.
Album opener "No Good" showcases that definite pop, Kinks-ish sound,
heavy on the drum beats and girl-torturing-boy lyrics - "Am I good by
myself?" asks lead singer Jonny Dubowsky. Guitar-driven "Diamonds and
Roses" and "B-Side" are a little more rough around the edges, but
still command that pop sensibility that a majority of songs on album
have. In other words, they're just damn catchy, whether they're more
rockin' or not. The debut's first single "Get Steady", which the band
have said is lyrically about the "mentality of people spilling out of
the bars...not knowing if they are going to meet the love of their
life, get into a fight" in the LES, is a definite stand out track. "I
don't need no cheap success" declares Jonny on the immensely enjoyable
track. They combine all influences on this one and it couldn't have
worked better.
With a debut like this, Jonny Lives! have the potential to blow away
everyone here and abroad. Like Jonny says: they're ready, they're
ready.
-30-
YOU BE ELAN'
ELAN: TOGETHER AS ONE
By Diana P. Olano
Borrowing from dance hall, reggae, and all island genres in between,
performer Elan makes an impressive debut with his album "Together as
One". Elan, a California native, whose vocals are very reminiscent to
that of reggae vocalist and legend Bob Marley, introduces himself with
an eclectic mix of tracks: from the soft and sweet guitar love song
"Together as One" to the modernly R&B influenced "Girl", that if given
the chance could become the next dance club hit, to "Allnighter", a
calypso track given a little pop flavor thanks to accompanying vocals
from Gwen Stefani. The standout track, however, wasn't the one that
got help from Mrs. No Doubt, but rather from Jamaican artist Tami
Chynn (who compliments Elan's vocals more than Stefani ever could) on
synth-heavy and sultry "Don't You Go".
The album, which is excutive produced by another part of the No Doubt
camp, Tony Kanal, showcases songs that deal with social and economic
injustices he witnessed firsthand ("We Won't Stand for This" and "I
Wanna Yell") while on tour with Bob Marley's band. (Might explain
Elan's vocals which seem to channel the reggae god.) It's not only
about wooing the ladies with Elan. It's this diversity in lyrics and
beats that make "Together as One" an album that anyone can enjoy and
one that only makes us wonder what else this up-in-comer has in store.
-30-
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