Carlton Chronicles: Not Until Operation's Through

South San Gabriel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 5, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Misra Records
• ASIN: B0007UDCK8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,302 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

South San Gabriel, like Centro-matic, emanates from Will Johnson’s immense vault of songs. While Centro-matic are best known for their bombastic, fuzz-laden rock songs and Johnson’s solo recordings tend toward the sad and sparse, South San Gabriel is the outlet for his open-ended, hallucinatory pop songs. The dazzling journey of The Carlton Chronicles fits neatly on a shelf alongside Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens and Smog, blending stunning songwriting with a delicate, nuanced approach to production and orchestration. Between Johnson’s three musical outlets, he’s now released twelve full-lengths (not to mention countless EPs and singles) and The Carlton Chronicles has raised the bar once again. Only one question remains: What could possibly be next?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerfully Potent Cat Nip............, April 6, 2005

By 

M. Gaines (Alabama, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Carlton Chronicles: Not Until Operation's Through (Audio CD)

A very nice follow up and progression from 2003's Welcome, Convalescence, The Carlton Chronicles must be taken as a whole rather then a bit at a time. This is not something you put into the player and expect it to hit you in the face but requires the listeners involvment in the textures that weave throughout the complete work. Exquisitely crafted by Matt Pence and company, the Carlton Chronicles follows the adventure of Will Johnson's cat on a journey through self awarness. The real reward lies in the ambient spaces created on pedal steel by Matthew Stoessel and Will's unusual delicately but powerfully placed vocals.
This is a work that slowly rewards the listener with each encounter much as most of the Centro-matic collective works, wrapped in an eternal and timeless musical quality that stands the test of time. All hail the new kings ...............

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply put........ a masterpiece, April 8, 2005

By 

Marvin Mckee "tallyho" (Tallahassee, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Carlton Chronicles: Not Until Operation's Through (Audio CD)

Wow. Will and crew may have perhaps outdone themselves this time. Beautifully intriguing soundscape set in three acts as seen through the eyes of Carlton the Cat. Wonderful blend of guitar, steel(thanks Matthew Stoessel), banjo(Howard Draper) and , of course, Scott's keyboards and violin. All interwoven and wrapped around Mark's bass (also plays guitar - it's fun to watch the guys switch around instruments during the live sets) and Matt's impeccable drumming and production. And who but Will could put together the lyrics and music for such a fantastic opera. Just phenomenal.
I love the fact that Centromatic/South San Gabriel/Will Johnson all have their own distinct qualities and characteristics. I have three favorite bands and anxiously await each new release (has there ever been a more prodigious songwriter than Will). If you have the chance to see the band live in whatever guise, drop whatever you are doing and make it to the show. Not only does the Centro gang always put on one hell of a show, they are all genuinely nice guys. The Carlton Chronicles is an amazing work of art which I truly hope garners the attention it deserves. Good guys deserve good things to happen.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece, April 8, 2005

By 

Julie L. Miller "HaggisVitae" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Carlton Chronicles: Not Until Operation's Through (Audio CD)

Beautifully poetic. Songs chronicle the odyssey of Carlton the cat and his grass-is-always-greener longings and subsequent escape adventures. Sadly sweet, lyrical, heart-tugging and just plain fun at times. I love this cd and feel closer to it than any I've purchased in years (and I mean years!). Cheers to Will J. and crew. I'm hooked and can't be without this one at my side at all times...just knowing the cd is close by makes me feel better about everything. An absolute masterpiece. *sigh*