Further North

Johnathan Rice | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 11, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B000UE64OW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,814 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Can't Stop Playing FURTHER NORTH!, November 8, 2007

By 

J. Martin "stage-martin" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Further North (Audio CD)

That's right, I can't. This album is such a fine piece of musicianship, after I bought the CD, I had to have a copy on vinyl as well. It sounds even better on my record player! Johnathan Rice--where to begin? If not with this one, try his debut record from 2005, TROUBLE IS REAL. It's nocturnal, folky, ambitious in scope, and startlingly world-weary in its depth of lyricism and singing for a man in his early twenties. Some astonishing, spare acoustic guitar (especially the gorgeous "Behind the Frontlines" and "Acrobat" among others) mingled with perhaps some slightly overproduced rocking out, but these are minor quibbles to an astonishing debut album.

On FURTHER NORTH, what we get is an impressive album that rocks out, also with lyrical sensitivity, but there's more light to the darker content of the stories he sings, where wit and cynicism intertwine and compel the listener. "We're All Stuck," "Middle of the Road," "Further North," "It Couldn't Be Me," a particular standout, but the thing is they are ALL standout. It's useless for me to pick apart every song, but buy this album and you will listen and ponder and revisit the lyrics--It Will Grow on You--if you're someone who likes good ole rock-folk-blues that doesn't call for pro-tools or the high-tech. In fact, the great "What Am I Gonna Do?" in its jingly way echoes The Beatles at times, and the final song of the album is superb. Rice somewhat echoes the gothic, noirish voices of Nick Cave or Leonard Cohen!

Also, I might add, Johnathan Rice superbly performed the bulk of this album live (plus a few others) as part of a support tour he's on I caught November 3rd, at the Crocodile in Seattle, WA. I caught this show just a week after I bought the album at Easy Street Records in Seattle, and spotted him a couple times as I was perusing the concert posters outside the Crocodile--what a Dive! My only regret is that the standing room audience wouldn't shut up during the quieter moments, such as his Final Song! Honestly, I thing some of these people are just space fillers or something--dorks. I was enthralled!

Come back to Seattle, Johnathan, and keep doing your thing!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breath of Fresh Air: Amazing Rock n Roll from a Truly Talented Musician, December 11, 2009

By 

Stacerz02 (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Further North (Audio CD)

Jonathan Rice does a superb job in 'Further North.' This CD is a breathe of fresh air! Jonathan is truly talented and his lyrics and real, candid and honest. He reminds me of a young Bob Dylan. Expect more greatness from Mr. Rice- this is not a CD to pass up!!! Well done Jonathan!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Really loved it, November 21, 2008

By 

C. Doyle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Further North (Audio CD)

Further North is a musical gem. I can't stop listening to it. The music itself sounds a little southern rock-ish and the lyrics sound very Californian and mellow--his voice is very folky and soothing.

As far as comparisons of course everyone will think of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. I should also mention Ryan Adams if he was more mellow and sad. It also reminds me of new Bright Eyes, like 2004 and later.

My favorite song is probably the first track but the whole LP really fits together and ends well I think.