Customer Reviews

Januaries

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This record is the most refreshingly honest pop record to come along since... Since nothing really; the genre of groovy chick pop didn't even know what it was missing and what it was missing was The Januaries and Debbie Diamond's lovely lilting voice, which is as hypnotizing as that of Elizabeth Fraser of The Cocteau Twins. This debut from The Januaries is pure pop and although the lyrics are often tongue-in-cheek, they are unpretentious and the tunes unforgettable. Debbie Diamond's "yeah, yeahs" are contagious and when she sings "I'm not a star, not a star, I'm the whole solar system" on All Systems a Go-Go, I found myself singing along. The lyrics are infused with a groovy Sixties sass and a strong dose of irony. On Summer of Love she sings "Look out baby 'cause here I come, used to be a ten, now I'm a number one." These are the kind of songs Debbie Harry would write if Blondie re-formed with April March, took a spaceship back to Paris in the Sixties and returned to New York circa 2,000 to remix the tracks. Every self-respecting pop fan should own this album.

If the icing on a cake could speak, what would it say? When chocolate melts in your mouth how do you feel? Whipped cream, cherry fillings, candle light, a good bottle of wine, the sweet scent of romance, and a little pain, yes these are a few of the ingredients that The Januaries are made of. Imagine Brazil, 1969, Beck seducing Astrud Gilberto in some Fellini-esque go go club, he succeeds and they hop on board his 2001 spaceship and blow into the future. Led by lead singer Debbie Diamond, who brings back (or should we say forward) that 60's Bond girl glamour, with a beautiful lilting voice that touches and tingles every corner of your body and soul. The gentlemen aboard the Januaries celestrial craft are pure wizards of another dimension which lies just beyond sight and sound. They lure you in, take you there and then drop you off again, and somehow you're never quite the same, in the most excellent way. If you're sensual and you love, love...if you crave delicious flavors, if you miss the thrill of buying an album and coming home only to discover that every song on it is amazing...then serve yourself some of The Januaries and give yourself a treat.

I discovered this album through none other than Debbie Diamond herself via an email. Needless to say, after visiting The Januaries website ...) I was convinced I had to have this CD. Having been a longtime fan of Saint Etienne, this was just the genre-blending, decade-warping album I'd been seeking: 60's jazz & lounge elements with more mature alternative sensibilities (read: ixnay on the teen angst). The Januaries have released a genuinely unique album that is classy and sophisticated without descending into overt campiness like so many other recent, more naive attempts at 60's retro. And now that I've seen them live, they are truly talented musicians: Debbie Diamond vocals and stage presence are fantastic ... a true chanteuse for the new millennium; Rick Boston (ex-Low Pop Suicide) is something of a guitar veteran whose talent is unquestionable having worked with a bassist hero of mine like Dave Allen; Mitch Maker's horns are smooth, Alpert-esque; and John Nau is wizard on the keyboards from Moog to Hammond organ. All that said, my favorites are "Juliette" (the bouncy & sultry album opener), "Love Has Flown", "Chocolate and Strawberries" (seductive indeed), "All Systems a Go-Go" (wow ... infectious chorus, Buggles-meets-Nancy Sinatra!), "Jon Sings" (my favorite ... jazzy, bittersweet unrequited love), "U&Me" (feel-good swing, reminds me of the other legendary Deborah out of NYC). And hey, don't miss them live -- they're going to be touring the pacific northwest and the east coast shortly! We've seen it far too many times -- genuine musical talent that goes unrecognized or unnoticed during its prime (I'll contribute Nick Drake, Love, Badfinger, latter Talk Talk, The Chameleons and The Real People to this list). This is a band that deserves to be recognized.

The Januaries are a talented group that have accomplished what few present-day pop artists have: a successful combination of catchy tunes and original lyrics. Furthermore, they have done all this using creative techniques, a variety of instruments, and refraining from over-used chord progressions. The Januaries' music ranges between 60s Brit-pop (e.g. "Black Transmission"), to Latin-infused rhythms a la Joao Gilberto (e.g. "The Girl's Insane"), to sensual, mellow tunes (e.g. "Chocolate and Strawberries") where lead vocalist Debbie Diamond's voice is reminiscent of Dusty Springfield. The Januaries' self-titled debut album on Foodchain Records is an absorbing, unique, varietal blend of pop music that everyone can enjoy.

This is a wonderful, wonderful album, 'nuf said, so I'll try to keep this short. The songs are catchy and exciting on a visceral level, but please the more discerning listener with big, well thought-out and produced orchestrations. The songs provide just enough predictable direction to make the listener feel well at home, but every song offers something fresh and unusual to wrap your ears around. There's nothing grating or "aurally difficult" here, but the music still manages to pack both a punch and an exciting edge at times.

For those that enjoy comparisons, try envisioning something with elements of Pizzicato Five ("Cinema Girl" for example) and a sound somewhere between Cibo Mato ("Chocolate and Strawberries") and the more 60's-sound of Smashmouth ("Black Transmission," "Summer of Love"), then put the luscious Debbie Diamond up front, with her voice combining doses of Natalie Merchant ("Juliette") and Bjork ("Cinema Girl" again), with even a hint of Jobim-era Astrud Gilberto at moments ("The Girl's Insane"). But this does no justice to the package as a whole, which may be standing on the shoulders of giants, but rises to new heights all its own.

I heartily recommend this album to anyone who appreciates lush, upbeat, sometimes powerfully rockin' songs. This is an amazing first effort by a group of musicians with a clear and unified vision, and who are exceptional at sharing that atmosphere and rich world with the listener.

How can I even begin to describe how I was softly seduced into the world of the Januaries? I came upon them completely by chance, a suggestion by someone who had read my amazon review on ColdPlay. I downloaded one song, Black Transmission, just to get a taste of what they were like. The melodic and groovy tunes melted in my mouth like chocolate, and I wanted more. Their entire album is one of the most spectacular debuts I have ever experienced, and am still experiencing. My advice: don't listen to this album...ABSORB it. Let tracks like Juliette, Love Met the Devil, and Love Has Flown sink into your skin and flow through your veins. It will be better than any meds a doctor could give you. My favourite song is Chocolate and Strawberries; I can taste the succulent fruit in my mouth everytime it plays. The Januaries have everything required for a very unique band. Fronted by Debbie's dreamy vocals; ingredients include the witchiness of Stevie Nicks, the feminine qualities of Deborah Harry, the emotion that propelles Bjork, and the talent of Tori Amos, all rolled into one amazing vocalist. The individuality comes with the trumpeter; without his amazing abilities, the band would definitely be missing a vital piece of the puzzle. The generally subtle guitar, bass, drums and keyboarding all add to the very full, yet crisp sound of the Januaries which would otherwise be empty. The image of this is also very independent in relation to newer bands coming out right now, which is always incredibly respectable and appreciated. This album is definitely my new favourite addiction; I can't imagine taking a bubble bath or lounging on a velvet couch with any other album floating romantically in the atmosphere of the room. I most CERTAINLY recommend this album to....anyone and everyone!

This one mysteriously showed up on my desk over the weekend. So, I gave a little hmmph, shrugged my shoulders, and threw it in my CD player. The Januaries play a very sexy and sensual, and otherwise difficult to describe style of music. Go-Goish tracks like "Black Transmission" - "Love Met the Devil" - and "Angel Eye" make you wonder when the next Austin Powers movie is coming out and if these tracks will be included. More mellow songs like "U&Me" and "Chocolate and Strawberries", along with a room full of lit candles make a perfect setting for a passion--filled evening.

Hey it's Debbie from the Januaries..just wanted to thank you all for the nice reviews..and just to let people know i don't just co-write the songs I wrote most of the songs on the the album. (i read someone said it was cool that i co-wrote "some" of the material) I'm currently working on new songs for the 2nd album..I'll be working with some new people on this next one. My influences for this album were Astrud Gilberto, Stereolab, Dusty Springfield, Air, I'm a fan of a lot of 60's music and obviously that showed..;).. Don't expect the same album this next round..the new stuff is sounding a bit like the Smith's ... just thought i'd drop by and say hi..so "hi" and thanx again* oh and of course i had to give myself 5 stars...ha*

I had no idea what Debbie Diamond sounded like (or even if she could sing) until I bought the CD; I'd never even heard of her or The Januaries...am not even sure how I came across her or the band... Must have been surfing the net and happened upon their site, etc. Anyway, the lady is not only gorgeous, but has a gorgeous voice and can sing. The arrangements are terrific as well. This is the type of (Non- noisy or loud) rock album you can never tire of. Musicianship is topnotch all the way.
And I can understand why she's a fan of Astrud Gilberto (& other singers like her) because Debbie's singing sort of reminds me of Astrud (or even Chrissie Hynde )& yet, a closer listen clearly shows that she sounds and sings like noone else, but Debbie Diamond, in that she's an original.

The CD is infectious.

I'll be looking for other CDs by this singer, & hope The Januaries do another album real soon.

The only other comment I can make is I'd like to see Debbie and the band better promoted so that more people might
become aware of their terrific sound.

The Januaries' self-titled debut LP makes me want to pour a Cosmopolitan, light a cigarette, and stylishly lounge about in nothing but slingbacks and a smile. And I don't even smoke! In fact, i abhor smoking. So this is a pretty effective album that is so atmospheric, it's almost dangerous.

The Januaries' lovely lead vocalist, Debbie Diamond, has a voice born from a champagne bubble; it tickles, it pops, it inebriates. And the album's sensuous, sophisticated, and downright groovy tracks, co-written by band co-founder and guitarist, Rick Boston, (of Low Pop Suicide fame) sail up into the air to burst on the pink chandelier with ease. But The Januaries are not a retro act or a go-go band. There is a post-modern Euro-sensibility to many songs like "Juliet" and "Jon Sings." There are low-key '60's jazz pop moments-peaking when Mitch Maker hit his horns-in tracks like "All Systems A Go Go" and the uber-sensual "Chocolate and Strawberries."

Plenty of bona fide rock lives in these tracks, too- like the kicky "Summer of Love" and the revved-up "Black Transmission. "The infectiously trippy "Love Met the Devil" would be great driving-in-a-red-convertible-at-night-in-L.A.music, while the oozing-with-sensuality"Cinema Girl" practically conjures up the ghost of the once glamorous Monte Carlo. "The Girl's Insane" is like a twisted Stan Getz/Burt Bacherach tune. The elebratory sounding "Love Has Flown" is a wackily perky break-up song, but you have to listen carefully past the chipper backing vocals and swirling horns.

The Januaries is a most promising first effort. Many influences may be present on this record, but an originality and atmosphere prevails here that i haven't heard in quite some time; it's a smooth musical cocktail. Has anybody seen my smokes?