Customer Reviews

Sketchy Ep #1

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

 

 

Jonah Mataranga, of Far fame, has produced his own little project called onelinedrawing. I had always thought Far were great, and I was looking for something new, so I checked this out.... After the first two MP3s, I was completely amazed at what this man could do, and that is make beautiful music.

He is an excellent singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and onelinedrawing seems to be a showcase of his talents. I also own Sketchy EP #2, but this one is far better (no pun intended). He seems quite hopeful if you will; in songs like Aeroplanes (favorite) there are appearances of quotes like "my friends will all be famous/this world can not contain us" and this adds to the whole inspirational feeling of the record. His acoustic based melodies are wonderful to say the least, depressed and at the same time euphoric, hopeful, waiting.

The songs are acoustic as I said above, but every now and then you'll hear an electric riff at the end of a verse or elsewhere. This is a very accessible record, as is Sketchy #2, and easy to listen to. You can plop this on at any time; when you're sad, happy, angry, anytime, anywhere. Two of my favorite songs are "14 to 41" and "Aeroplanes", but you may listen to the whole thing without skipping songs. No, he doesn't sound like Far, but then again, he doesn't sound like anyone.

Jonah Mataranga is a simple man. I believe onelindrawing represents the simplicty that life should have, and how the hustle and bustle of everyday life have destroyed everything that life should be about. He is intelligent and extrememly talented, to say the least, and I am so very glad that onelinedrawing has not hit the mainstream, mainly because it is too fragile a subject for young teenagers watching MTV to grasp. Similar artists include Pedro The Lion, Elliot Smith, and Burning Airlines. onelinedrawing will help you leave it all behind. This will always be in my CD player somewhere.

It's a shame there's no song clips here. Go to Jonah's site anddownload them. Stripped down, basic music from the heart. Acoustic and non-distorted electric are the background of choice and if the songs on this cd don't move you, you're probably dead. Far fans that dug songs like "Really Here" will eat this up without cutlery. :)

From the first time that I heard 14 to 41, I was hooked. I was a huge Far fan while they were around, and in their absence I checked out Jonah's solo project, onelinedrawing. From the first time I listened to a legal download of 14 to 41, I knew I had to have the CD. Jonah writes the most beautiful lyrics out there, and his music is open and gorgeously honest. Tides breaks my heart every time I hear it, as does Better Than This. I saw him in concert a week ago, and it was even more amaing live. The songs are of unquestionable beauty, and if you like any kind of music, this is quite simply the perfect CD.

I had never heard of Far or Onelinedrawing before somehow landing on this page a few weeks ago. After listening to a few samples, I put this ep on my wish list for Amazon, and over the holidays my friends purchased almost my entire list. While sifting through my plethora of cds, I stumbled upon this. I had forgotten all about it, but as soon as I put it into my computer I fell in love. Well, not really, but I enjoyed the cd a lot more than most of the cds I've bought this year. I recommend this to anyone, because it really isn't scene-specific. If you're close-minded and specifically dedicated to "emo" or "hardcore" or "goth" or any of the other fake sub-divisions of rock, you'll probably debunk this, because it is pretty mellow for rock. But then again, so are the Shins, and they are a magnificent band. I guess the point I'm trying to make here is that you should listen with an open mind, and if you do, you'll love this album.

Being a fan of Far and after their abrupt break-up a couple years back and never getting the chance to see them live it left me longing for more. And then came this ep which in one word is just Brilliant! It is filled with great inspirational numbers like the opener "Better Than This" but at the same time their are songs of regret and loss of hope like the closer "Tides". But they don't bring you down if anything they make you get up and do something. Their are good old pop songs on here too like "15,000" and "14-41",but at the same time they are so much more. My favorite track on the album would have to be "Aeroplanes" which in my opinion is the most beautiful piece of music since Radiohead's "Exit Music (For A Film)". I hope Jonah keeps churning these out because he is incredible at what he does and i can't say enough great things about this ep.

Visitor was too poppy, Always New was too folky, but this one is just right. Six great songs by Jonah, all emotional and rocking. Quality stuff. The only complaint I have is that "14 to 41" sounds a bit unfinished, but if you just replace it with the version of Thriller, this is a near-perfect EP. If you like Onelinedrawing, definately check out Neutral Milk Hotel. Now THAT'S some good acoustic rock.

After buying both Far albums, I wanted more. Fortunatly, Onelinedrawing has decent EP's out. This EP sounds like a less complex version of Water and Solutions, and has an upbeat feeling to it. Jonah has proved himself as talented a vocalist as Maynard from Tool, and uses his melodic skills much more than in Far. The only reason I'd give this four stars is that it isn't as deep as most of the music I listen to. The first time hearing any of the songs except for Tides, you catch pretty much every element of the song, and I like music that goes deeper. But overall, this is a good EP.

Jonah from Far has got to be one of my favorite individuals ever. As I wrote in a previous review, the best music is music is music that you can fall asleep to, and this is no exception. Except with this, I can fall asleep and have a wonderful sleep with Aeroplanes or 14 to 41 (favorite songs) on repeat. 14 to 41 is a great song, mostly about aging, and Aeroplanes is about expectations you get about life when you're a child, I think. The whole record is always in my changer, every day, because the whole record is just moving. Jonah is an amazing musician. If you're a fan of any music at all, from Elliot Smith to the Deftones, you will love this record for eternities to come. Thanks, Jonah, you've done it again. Check out Far, too.

Ever since I first heard Far, when Water and Solutions came out, I knew that they were something special. Jonah's lyrics were brilliant and fit so well with the music. Needless to say, I was really saddened to hear that Far had taken a semi-permanent vacation from Far to pursue other things. Of course, I was thrilled to learn that Jonah had started a solo project, Onelinedrawing.

This EP is more laid back and beautiful than the majority of Far songs. Jonah's lyrics are beautiful and deep, and I consider him one of the better lyricists around. His voice is equally amazing and conveys emotion brilliantly. But most importantly, not only is Jonah a great musician, he is a really nice guy as well. He really cares about fans and will personally communicate with you on his website. Every song is equally good, though my personal favorite is Aeroplanes. They were all recorded at home, and have a beautiful, basic sound to them. So, if you enjoy wonderful music, and great emotional vocals, buy this album. Its not overly long, but every minute is pure enjoyment. And prepare yourself for Jonah's next EP on January 1, 2000. Visit his web site for more info! :)