Customer Reviews

I'm Ok You're Ok [Vinyl]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album doesn't knock me out like his major label debut (Presents Author Unknown), but it is a solid effort in the vein of the follow-up Can You Still Feel. You'll hear echoes of Kinks, Beatles, McCartney, the softer side of XTC, and other greats of melodic pop. Jason has absorbed a great many influences, and he whips them all together into rich musical stew. When you hear his composing skill on display in these new tunes, it really does break your heart that Jason can't get the budget and promotion he deserves. Actually, Jason seems to do pretty well producing his own stuff, but in sheer audio quality terms, it is not the best.

McCartney is a good reference point. This album is better than anything McCartney has put out in years. Chaos and Creation was a good album, and Jason was one of the studio musicians working with McCartney on it. But Jason's album has more energy and authenticity in my book.

If you've heard Falkner's work before, you know what to expect. No surprises here, good or bad. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I cannot understand why in a world of "American Idols" Jason Falkner can't be taken more seriously. His work is just as radio-friendly, he's as good a performer, and it has much more depth than the singers being churned out of the "Idol factory." Just another example of perversity in the music biz, I guess.

It's ridiculous that this is only available as an import so far, but believe me the cost is well worth it! Every track is a keeper, and the bonus track easily stands with the others. That said, how can it be a bonus track if this is the only version released so far? What makes a track a "bonus" when it's not even stylistically different from the others. When I think bonus, I think tossed off live version of a studio track, or sounds of a band goofing around in the studio, or something to that effect.

Anyway, this is beautiful music that will help you feel good. There's a lot of sunshine and love in this. It soars.

Again another brilliant album from Jason Falkner. As expected it is full of hooky tasty songs as well as some more introspective moments. Well worth the wait.

I am always stunned when albums of this caliber get left by the wayside. Pop-Confectionist extraordinaire Jason Falkner first released "I'm Ok, You're Ok" overseas in 2007, yet no US label saw fit to issue it here until 2010. And yet, this album all but bursts with sugary hooks, catchy choruses and gleeful singing. I am now able to listen to this in Philadelphia without paying an extortionist import price.

Thankfully, the patience was worth it. Falkner must have been saving these songs up, as each and everyone clicks with the power-pop thrills of his pedigree bands Jellyfish and Three O'Clock. You'll hear the traces of Paul McCartney, The Kinks, Todd Rundgren at his poppiest, and hosts of 80's power-poppers ("Stephanie Tells Me" is like a sister song to Material Issue's "Valerie Loves Me"). There's a joyous ode to finding freedom in "NYC," a killer boy-band in waiting hit called "Runaway," and an opening track that cloaks his frustration in a chocolate bar ("This Time").

How he makes it sounds so effortless is amazing to me. Like his classic solo debut "Author Unknown," Falkner spins together influences so seamlessly that you can merely sit back and let them wash over you. Likely while whistling along.

Power popster Jason Falkner's 2007 release is more than O.K.--it's a strong album full of melodic, crunchy guitar power pop. As with all of his albums Falkner wears his influences on his sleeve(so-to-speak)including Badfinger, The Beatles, 80's new wave and even a bit of...The Cars on one keyboard driven track. As with his previous albums Jason plays all the instruments here (except for one track)and does so exceptionally well. The former member of The Three O'Clock, Jellyfish and The Grays checks in with some of his best constructed songs creating a memorable follow up to his first two solo albums (I'm not counting his "Bedtime with The Beatles" albums because they are covers albums and TV Eyes his album with former Jellyfish member Roger Manning).

From the riff driven opening track "This Time" (which also shows up as a bonus track on his latest album last year's "All Quiet on the Noise Floor")to the final track "This Life of Mine" all the songs feature the often bittersweet and witty lyrics one has come to except from Falkner. "I'm OK...You're OK" may SEEM effortless but these songs recorded between 2001 and 2007 are so detailed, brilliantly arranged and bursting with some many clever ideas that enhance each song that it's clear WHY Falkner took so long to release this follow up album to "Can You Still Feel?". The highlight for me is "Stephanie Tell Me" which features enough melodic invention for THREE songs wrapping its intelligent lyrics.

We get a booklet with all the lyrics (as usual)and the mastering sounds quite good for a contemporary release. Highly recommended.

The fact that a full two years passed before an American record label saw fit to re-issue this 2007 album (which arrived nearly a decade after his last proper solo record (1999's Can You Still Feel?), and a full four years after the brilliant Bliss Descending EP) is a crime against taste and justice.

The lyrics reveal a maturing, introspective edge: "This Time" kicks things off with a steady simmering bed of guitar drone, and reflects on being "ignored by this industry," but promising to "let go of that energy" (the alternate version included here is vastly different and just as good). The bouncy "NYC" reflects on time spent adventuring in the Big Apple in younger days, while "Anondah" and "This Life of Mine" are excellent downtempo tunes. "Stephanie Tells Me" and "Komplicated Man" are classic JF tunes, with instantly hummable choruses and crafty guitar hooks, and hold up favorably alongside his best work. However, this is not simply just more of the same power pop gold; "Hurricane" is a relatively downbeat keyboard-and-synth workout that's more Kid A than Todd Rundgren, and "Say It's True"'s minimal organ accompaniment is as effective as the wall-of-new-wave sound of the other tunes. Overall, while it may not top his earlier records, it's an inspired and welcome return that picks up where his other excellent work left off.

Wake up music industry!!! Jason Falkner has delivered yet another wonderful album of melodic rock/pop and it is a crime that it has not yet been released in the U.S. Many of these tracks have hit record potential. NYC, Komplicated Man, and Stephanie Tells Me are all stunning. You can hear them on Jason's My Space page - so check them out! After you hear them, you will want this album even at the import price. Other standout tracks are "Anondah", a beautiful power ballad with fantastic piano work. This Time, The Knew, and Contact are immediately catchy up-tempo tracks. The pensive ballad I Don't Mind (labeled as a bonus track), is a delightful and gentle close to this collection of gems. The only song I could do without is Hurricane, but even it is good (sounds like a leftover TV Eyes track). Maybe it will be replaced by a new track when, hopefully, this album sees a U.S. release. In short, this is one of the best albums I have heard in the last two years. I'm sure glad that, despite his struggle to find his rightful and well-deserved place in the music industry limelight, Jason is OK. I hope that he continues to produce albums like this for many years to come.

How can such a talented singer/songwriter/musician remain unknown for so long?

Jason Falkner has been around for quite some time and has written, produced and performed quite a few gems. The only thing he has not done is embed his talent all over the airwaves of this image hungry country. It's as if he sprayed himself from head to toe with some sort of radio repellent.

"I'm OK... You're OK" takes a few listens to completely absorb into your skull. But once it does, you'll find that it is his most solid effort to date. The sounds are more textured and varied as in earlier releases, but blend well with his ever expanding vocals. His love for 80's New Wave comes through on the song, "Hurricane"... you could swear you were listening to Depeche Mode. The song, "This Life Is Mine" has to be his most beautiful.

The only thing I can figure out about Jason's lack of success is that he isn't a band. If he were a band with a cool name, maybe he'd fare better. The other thing is Law of Attraction. If you name your first album, "Author Unknown", maybe you doom yourself for ever becoming a commercial success...

... Maybe he likes it that way though.

I have most of Jason Falkner's CDs, going all the way back through Jellyfish, and I think this is one of his best albums yet. The fact that Jason can still come up with such beautiful and catchy pop songs after so many years, especially without having received the kind of commercial attention he deserves, is amazing. He makes it sound so easy, but I know that writing songs on his level takes an enormous amount of skill. Songs like Anondah show that he still has a lot of range still to explore so I hope he continues to release records. At this point, I doubt this record will get a US release, since most of the people who would purchase this record have already imported it, so I would recommend that any fans of Falkner, or power pop in general, picking it up while it is still available, well worth the inflated import price!

Being a huge fan of Jason makes me a bit biased. However, this cd does deliver and I am not disappointed. Every song is enjoyable. The only comment is his lack of support in the states.