Customer Reviews

Nighttiming [Vinyl]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Historically, whenever actors have tried their hand at being rock stars, things haven't faired so well (see David Hasselhoff, Don Johnson and Keanu Reeves). In the case of Jason Schwartzman, things are a little different. First, this isn't his first foray into the music gig; he played the skins in the moderately successful band Phantom Planet. Secondly, Schwartzman's acting career has earned him some solid indie cred in the film world. So, it's certainly feasible that he could churn out a solo project that might get taken seriously in the music scene.

At least in the case of the aforementioned mega-stars turned wanna-be rockers, there was novelty value (the very notion that they were trying to be musicians was entertaining enough). Schwartzman, however, is actually talented enough to be taken seriously as a musician, so there's no novelty value in his first Coconut Records outing, Nighttiming. To the contrary, in fact - it's a self-consciously serious affair. The problem is, it feels more like a tour de indie rather than a sincere, cohesive collection of tunes. The album opens with a cinematic introduction, and the record is sprinkled with similar segues and interludes throughout its brief run time of 30-some minutes. It's almost like the soundtrack to a non-existent indie flick, the kind Jason would star in.

The faux soundtrack ambience would work a lot better if there was any sense of continuity from song to song. But there isn't. Take first single (and hands-down best track on the record) "West Coast." It's a gorgeous, bittersweet pop number with an infectious hook and the most sincere-sounding sentiments on the disc. Following that up is the hammy, blatantly Weezer-aping "Back to You," which, aside from being the cheesiest song of the lot, is the only song of its kind in this uneven collection. Then we get the art-folk of "Summer Sun," a pretty ballad but once again, totally out of sync with the neighboring tracks. The album's title track suddenly finds Schwartzman doing his best Julian Casablancas impression, with equally Strokes-y disco beats and guitar riffs. This could have been another saving grace for the album, except that its plagued by a painfully childish rhyme scheme - something that kills the mood of other potentially decent tracks elsewhere in the set.

All in all, I expected more from such a cool, talented dude. But then again, the album feels like an act; he's stepping into the shoes of his indie-rock influences and doing a pretty good job - you can tie each song to pretty much one artist's direct influence. If Schwartzman can manage to make his music more believable and incorporate his influences in a subtle way rather than wear them on his sleeve, he's got the basic ingredients to make the next Coconut Records release truly engaging and original. The shining gem "West Coast" is evidence of that.

Jason Schwartzman, drummer of Phantom Planet and also an actor, has now got a solo project, Coconut Records. By solo, I really mean SOLO! Amazingly, he is the sole songwriter of every song on this album and he played all of the instruments himself! The album does not come off as pretentious at all, however. The general sound is clean and crisp, and I often listen to the whole album instead of skipping to certain tracks.

A cool aspect of Coconut Records is that it doesn't remind me of any other artist/band out there right now. Schwartzman's voice is rather sweet and melancholy, particularly on "West Coast, though his delivery can also appear stylish and earnest (as in "Nighttiming") and folksy (in "Summer Day"). The latter almost reminds me of a more poppy Bright Eyes song... Overall, every song is pleasant to listen to, though I have my favorites; the ones I mentioned above, plus "Its Not You, Its Me" and "The Thanks I Get".

Unfortunately, this album is really brief, clocking in at around 30 minutes! Its quality material, though, and this guy shows a lot of promise for the future.

The album is a great culmination of songs and have a wide variety of feels to the songs. He does a good job singing (I think) and over its a good album. To those who have said it isnt a cohesive album: the album was'nt orgininally going to be an album rather a collection of songs done by Jason Schwartzman (the only band member) and a variety of his friends but later was turned into his debut album with coconut planet- I was confused with why it was so ranged in feel but then my friend explained it to me.

I've been listening to Left of Center on Sirius for a few years now, and I've grown used to indie-pop, but when they started playing Coconut Records the song "west coast" stuck in my head. I liked it. And much to my surprise it turned out to be an actors band, which I had up to this point always instantly dismissed. This really is a strong album, especially when you give it a few spins and enjoy it on a more personal level. And it can never be featured on "the o.c.", which helps. Poppy but not predictable, it covers a wide range of approaches to the whole "indie" scene, but it always feels like a genuine product rather than a survey of what's hip.

Was surprised to learn that this band was started by actor (and lead singer) Jason Schwartzman. Most of the songs are pretty good, West Coast being the song I purchased the whole album for. Not bad for actor turned musician when nobody was looking.

Seeing that already 21 customers gave their opinion on this CD and that I don't know much about Coconut Records, let alone Jason Schwartzmann, I will not elaborate. I'll just say that some good pop songs, melodies and sounds are to be found here. Enough indeed to recommend buying it to anyone interested in listenable indie music. It certainly is neither "mediocre" nor vain for a solo venture!

good cd, there are two sets of each song on it, one set is the radio version and the other set is the acoustic version

This is a great album if you already like a couple of Coconut Records songs. In my opinion, the sound quality from Amazon MP3s are better than iTunes. Once you download the Amazon MP3 manager, the songs download, then iTunes program on my computer automatically recognizes the new downloads and then all that's left to do is sync the songs to my iPod. Download this album now!

Damn I love this record. I listen to it over and over and it always makes me feel good. THe songs are catchy and fresh. love it love it love it!

I had trouble finding this CD in stores. I was happy that I could get it though amazon. I came in a few days and the CD is amazing! Lovely little songs that poetic, fun and easy to listen to. "back to You", "easy Girl" and "Summer Day" are my favorites!

My only complaint is that it would have been cool to get one of those indivualized/ unique polaroids that Schwartman was doing...but I guess they must have ran out. I am buying this CD a year or two late...bummer!