Customer Reviews

Goddamned

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dictionary.com defines a genius as a person having "an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music, etc.: the genius of Mozart." By that definition Jay Brannan is a genius.

He seems to have come out of nowhere, with little formal training or experience, but with an irrepressible drive to express himself in his songs, with his voice, and just by being himself. His songs almost without exception are extraordinarily intelligent and beautifully crafted works of art, his voice is clear, fine, and subtle, and his persona is self-effacing but insistent and very engaging. Even his self-taught guitar and piano work are simply lovely and seem to flow naturally out of an inexhaustible internal fountain of creativity.

I discovered Jay Brannan a few months ago on a video sharing site, where he has posted dozens of videos of himself singing his songs at home alone with his guitar. There are also many videos of him in public performances recorded and posted by people in the audience. So I had seen and heard several performances of all the songs on this album before it was released. One remarkable fact is that adding sophisticated recording technology and professional accompaniment adds very little to the quality of the performances. His home-made versions are already better than much other music available today.

Brannan's music is just slightly better than his lyrics. The music is consistently fresh and inventive, often playful, and almost always beautiful. It is never either tedious or predictable, but very occasionally the lyrics are. The more personal his songs are the better they are, and the vast majority of them are flawless. By far the weakest song on this album, in my opinion, is the title song, "goddamned." It's a religio-political protest against Christianity and against the nation of Israel's occupation of Palestine, and it invokes "Mary and Mohammed" to witness the injustices being perpetrated. I find it strident, pretentious, ineffective, and naive. But it is a protest song, it's supposed to be disturbing, and my parents might have said the same things about "Blowin' in the Wind." Different generations have different values.

The Brannan songs I like best seem to have grown out of his own experiences, most of which evidently have been frustrating and painful. But even the darkest and most despairing of those songs has an undercurrent of life that's not going to give up easily. Listening to them is like sharing in the process by which he transforms his hardships into something he can live with.

My favorite songs on this album are "Housewife" and "Bowlegged and Starving." "Housewife" was the first song of his I ever heard. It's a lyrical but unpretentious fantasy of settling down and making a life with another man. Brannan's ease in singing "I want to be a housewife" and "I want to have his baby"--as if those are perfectly normal desires in a man--blew me away. I've been out for a very long time, but rarely has anything outside myself made me feel so good about being gay. I'm grateful to him for continuing to perform this song even though he says it's not how he feels any more. It's not how I ever felt, but it's a joy to hear.

"Bowlegged and Starving" is a very clever, very funny play on the undependability of relationships and the satisfaction in learning just to live your own life. It's unusually upbeat for him, and unusual also in that he wrote it for piano instead of guitar. It's interesting to hear how well the song naturally fits with the new instrument.

As good a songwriter as he is--and he is one of the best around today--I think Brannan's greatest gifts are for performing. In the movie "Shortbus," Brannan's character Ceth says about modeling, "a lot of it's instincts." That's how all his work seems to me. Watching him is like watching instincts in action.

It's as if everything he does is both spontaneous and inevitable. It may all be very thoroughly developed and rehearsed, but that's never how it seems. It seems that each word, and each note, is exactly the right word and exactly the right note, sung and played in exactly the right way for that instant, and that each one has just that moment come bubbling up magically from a well deep inside him, whole and perfect. Even when he's singing a song he's sung (and I've listened to) dozens of times before, and even when he's singing a song somebody else wrote, there's a freshness and immediacy to everything he does that I've never seen anywhere before.

I'd love for him to do an album of other people's songs some day. His versions of songs by Ani DiFranco, Jann Arden, and Joni Mitchell (among many others) are moving and fascinating, not least for the amazing way he makes each one seem as if it's being born right before your eyes.

This man has the voice, the lyrics and the emotions. I haven't been able to stop listening to this incredible cd. He is a man and a boy all wrapped up in one fatanstic package. Thank you Jay. Has ABBA would say, "Thank you for the music".

This is a brilliant album. He's smart, funny, clever, yes. But, wow, is he TALENTED. The writing is phenomenal for a freshman effort. His voice is gorgeous. With good production on this acoustic album, mostly guitar and strings, it's almost Nick Drake-like in places. I cannot stop listening to this album!

I've seen Jay perform live in West Hollywood and San Francisco in the past year and have watched his YouTube videos and have his latest releases (Unmastered and goddamned). This album is his best and most polished effort so far. As I listen to his music or watch him play, I can't help but feel his words on a deep level. His ability to compose music and lyrics that he expertly plays on his acoustic guitar is nothing short of inspirational, and for the aspiring musician in me, his music provides a solid example of why someone would venture out in the music business. His music is personal, controversial, and grounded in experiences that all of us can relate to.

If you're not sure, you can get a sense of Jay on YouTube or just download his mp3 album here or sample the tracks on iTunes. I've listened to a lot of music in my life, and Jay Brannan continues to stand out as a real musician with the guts to sing songs that dig deep and leave lasting impressions.

This is the most honest and beautiful albums I've heard in years.

It's pure & honest, the songs are a part of Jay's soul.

The words of the songs will haunt you.

I purchased the album from Jay's on-line store:

For half the price it's offered on Amazon and it's available right now at the sight.

Very few artists are blessed with talent, Jay Brannan is one of those artist.

I was DRAGGED by my friend to go see some guy named Jay Brannan. I was like..Why on earth do I want to go see some guy who sings this kind of music. I tryed to bail on him, I used every excuse to get out of going to his concert but I could not. SO i got there and There was some girl singing...the opening...well she was ok. She was pitchy as heck and was not into her style but her bassest was hot... so i stuck it out but was thinkig this did not boad well for the night. Finaly she finished and after about 20 min Jay Took the stage. First think I thougt was WOW this kid is Freaken HOT. Then he started talking about his chair and such and well he was funny as heck. Made jokes with the audiance it was great. THEN he started to sing. I melted immidatly. He has the most velvity Smooth sweet voice i have ever heard. He convays emotion in his music as easly as you and I breath. he has amazing tone and pitch, near perfect pitch, and that is rare even for the most experenced singer. I loved all his songs but I have to say "housewife" has a special place in my heart all ready. I kinda teared up when he sang it. Its such a great and sad song. I highly recommend the video on you tube. I am now a Fan...thank you Jay for sharing your gift.

I first saw Jay as actor Jake on the movie Holding Trevor

Jay was really great at Jake who happened to sing also.

By a fluke we wondered if he indeed was a singer.

When we found him on Amazon we were thrilled.

This CD is very moving with the lyrics and light musical sound.

He's really very funny in his lyrics using satire as well.

Can't Have It All, Housewife and especially At First Sight

Are some of my favorite tracks on this CD.

I do love the whole CD and how it flows.

Jay has a long future in singing, writing and acting.

I'm glad to be among his first many fans to wish him well.

~ Cornelius

Jay Brannan is one of those artists who only come along every so often. Honest, brutal, irreverant, touching. I could go on and on. I, too first saw him in "Holding Trevor" and really enjoyed his performance. His character reminded me of so many people I have known in my life. When he sang, I thought, this guy has really got it. This CD is worth every penny and my hope is that he continues to create great music like this. There are so many people who will learn and grow from this CD. It has a lesson for all of us. That makes a great artist in my eyes. It also doesn't hurt that he is adorable. Keep going Jay!

I first noticed Jay Brannen in the movie Holding Trevor. His character Jake performed a song in the film. Although I thought the song was okay, I loved Jay's voice and decided to see if I could find any other music he recorded.

I quicky found Goddamned on Amazon and purched it right away. The songs on the album are amazing and Jay's voice is beautiful. I have not stop playing it since it arrived.

Most of the album is Jay and his guitar with the occasional piano or violin. The music allows Jay's voice to shine. Great album.

This is an amazing set of new songs that take real and intense feelings and put them to music. Once you start listening you are going to be hooked.