Customer Reviews

Reclinerland (self title debut)

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

 

 

Michael Johnson, who I've been watching since his days as a member of Eugene, Oregon's American Girls, has produced quiet, but lush, masterpiece.

During intermissions during the AmGirls shows, instead of taking a break like the rest of the band, Mike would take center stage, and sing gorgeous little acoustic love songs.

Reclinerland is a whole album's worth of these gems. At first quiet, unassuming, they grow on you....the lushness isn't in the spare arrangements, but in the gloriously weird but touching lyrics and the amazing melodies that remain in the room long after the CD is over. I can't praise this CD enough.

(As a side note, I always thought Mike J. was a bit of a jerk. He invited me over for martinis once and served me a warm can of Beast Ice before disappearing into a room with some girls...but personal qualms aside, he's a huge talent.)

When I first listened to reclinerland, I was dumbstruck. How could a do-it-yourself wunderkind possess the quiet poetry and vocal poise of a veteran singer-songwriter like Paul Simon or Robyn Hitchcock? The combination of Johnson's eloquent lyrics, unassuming voice, and bittersweet melodies conjure such longing, such pictures, it's like wandering through an unpeopled museum of the soul. If you appreciate design, you'll enjoy the minimal yet intricate cd package as well. Enter reclinerland.

I bought this on a whim. I was really suprised how sweet the music was. His lyrics are like stand alone peoms, but set to music. Interesting and entertaining. I play this album all the time.

I've always loved Michael Johnson's band name and his music has a great mellow quality to it very few artists enjoy.Most tunes offer an acoustic guitar with various other instrumentation tossed in. I ran into him from checking music via the HUSH music label which is a based out of Portland. His Reclinerland albums would easily fit in with any sort of singer songwriter fare and is just what i'd call good music for anyone who likes music.

This CD is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Reclinerland is truly original. He has tender emotion and tight melody wrapped into one. My favorite track is Littlestar, because of the picturesque lyrics. Most of his lyrics are mood evoking and tender. I play it all the time before I go to sleep.