Jonathan incorporated
Country of origin:
Canada
Type of music generally:
Introspective indie rock
Status:
Most recent release, When Our Eyes at Last Shall See Him (seasonal, 2016); most recent non-seasonal release, The Greatest Songs I Never Wrote (covers, 2012); most recent release of non-seasonal, original material, lost:time (2011)
See also:
Jonathan incorporated site
Comparisons:
American Music Club, hints of R.E.M., irony-free eels
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
This album required a few listenings, and a bit of dedication. All is rewarded, however, and eventually jonathan inc's waiting for morning reveals itself as a thing of understated power and mournful beauty. There is a tendency, in parts, towards the soporific, when the doleful atmosphere overwhelms a couple of the tunes and leaves them with nowhere to go. When it shines, however, it shines with bursts of brilliant, wintry light that dazzle and exhilarate. The songs work their way under your skin, and pretty soon you'll swear they've always been there. (adamk@zoom.co.uk)
Recommended first album:
waiting for morning
Recordings:
- sensual beings (solo, as Jon Anderson)
- transient
- waiting for morning (2000)
- Halfway to a Better Place EP (c. 2002)
- things done and left undone (2004)
- lost:time (2011)
- The Greatest Songs I Never Wrote (covers, 2012)
- When Our Eyes at Last Shall See Him (seasonal, 2016)
waiting for morning
Release info:
2000—self-released
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Moderate to high
Group members:
j. anderson—vocals, guitars, lap steel, keyboards, bass, percussion, vibraphone
Guest artists:
m. derrick—piano, organ, electric guitar
e. vooys—drums
j. bews—upright and fretless bass
angie lof—harmonies
todd simko—electric oboe
kevin house—harmonies
Produced by:
jonathan
Comments:
A bit more edge would have been appreciated, but if you have the patience, this album repays it by coming back to haunt you. (adamk@zoom.co.uk)
things done and left undone
Release info:
2004—Anniedale Records
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Moderate to high
Group members:
jonathan anderson—guitars, vocals
michelle grunert—moog, wulitzer and vocals
jon brotherton—bass
glenn d'cruze—drums
Guest artists:
roxy dykstra—violin and viola
brian chow—cello
angie lof—singing on "relentless"
rebecca rowan—singing harmony on "reading between the lines"
Produced by:
jonathan
Comments:
This doesn't quite hit the highpoints of waiting for morning, but has a fragile, melancholy charm all of its own, with Angie Loff and Rebecca Rowan's guest vocals adding much appreciated grace and beauty to Jon Anderson's more low-key singing style.
This isn't an album for everyone, or even for every day, but it certainly manages to capture the delicate sound of mournful heartbreak. (adamk@zoom.co.uk)
Further info:
Email jonathaninc@hotmail.com
Thanks to adamk@zoom.co.uk for work on this entry.
