So This Is Goodbye

Junior Boys | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 12, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Domino
• ASIN: B000H7JA6Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,438 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Canadian-based duo has emerged with a pop statement that's easily one of the best albums of the year. It's a work that exhibits a confident mix of focus, clarity, and ambition. From the upbeat single, "In The Morning" to the somber triptych that closes the record, which touches such kindred spirits as Sylvian, Ferry, and Sinatra, Junior Boys manage to tease soul and longing out of their machines in a way that few have dared to try.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So this is hello, October 26, 2006

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So This Is Goodbye (Audio CD)

The Junior Boys have made a solid second album in "So This is Goodbye"... which hopefully isn't a bad omen. Because it would be a shame to quit when this electro-indie band is still making good music -- smooth dance beats and satiny vocals, with a heavy dose of chillout and downtempo.

It opens with a string of hiccupy blips, and soon a breathless voice murmurs, "You're two faced.../all sideways.../you're dry-eyed.../and night fly..." A funky rhythm kicks in, keeping the spare beats from sounding too dull, but it's still only an introduction.

The good stuff is with "The Equalizer," a solid beat that regularly softens those cold beats with stretches of shimmering downtempo. Then they change the same formula for "First Time," which is a pretty trip-hop sound that gets sprinkled with sharp computerized beats. Not catchy, just so you know.

That mix of sharp beats and downtempo continues as the album trips on. The melodies are fragile, the beats are robust -- they glide through the vaguely ominous "In the Morning," cascade through the bittersweet sound of "So This is Goodbye," and jerk through the robotic "Caught in a Wave." The ending song, "FM," is a surprisingly soft finale, with a very soft melody and those computer beats.

Perhaps "So This is Goodbye" has only one real flaw: the songs tend to blur together over the listening period, since the beat/chillout ratio is the same for most of them. So it might take a few listens before this one really pops in your head.

But that ratio is very good -- the chillout electronica lulls you, and the cold robot beats snap you out of the trance. And while the first song strives to be catchy, the later ones abandon that in favor of experimental sound and chilly soundscapes, flavoured with the occasional burst of static.

Jeremy Greenspan's voice is the opposite of full-bodied. He sounds drained, worn-out, as if he's wandering around in his own wintry music. This impression certainly isn't hurt by lyrics like, "stay awhile/we don't have long/we could talk for hours/till my strength is gone/though I get so tired/I still get wired/my pulse is still... I'm like a child."

A delicious mishmash of hard electronica and soft downtempo, this chilly little album is a solid second album for the Junior Boys. Not to mention a bad way to go into winter.

5.0 out of 5 stars I heard it on a Snowboard Movie Trailer, September 15, 2008

By 

Sky - See all my reviews

This review is from: So This Is Goodbye (Audio CD)

Wow seeing that trailer(snowboard flick) and hearing Junior Boys just about made everybody wonder who are they and where can we get it!

Junior Boys, the whole CD is really nice, like the 80's sound, but differnet. It's got an uncanny way of weaving in throughts about love and friendship. I really like it!

4.0 out of 5 stars A 'Chill' Album, March 22, 2008

By 

Corey Turner "The Musician" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: So This Is Goodbye (Audio CD)

Junior Boys newest release succeeded in being one of my favorite chill out albums of the year previously (based on a friends recommendation, i soon had to agree). While opinions very the reasoning is simple.
Catchy electronic beats, great smooth vocals that sound fatigued (not in a bad manor) and a few note worthy songs.

"In the Morning" was released as a music video/single, it is indeed the most commercially appealing fluctuate song off the albums on tray, but some still hold their footing. Many songs may not be as distinctive as this though and may sound a lot alike. Don't be fooled though, take a few listens. Another great song is "So this is Goodbye" a smoother flowing slower tempo song, resulting in a regretful approach. "Like a Child" is the exact opposite, giving way to tight faster paced notes causing the ears to respond in a awkward manor. The songs are fashionable and party like, but also relaxing and well produced.

The albums tone and nature truly makes for a soothing friendly listening experience. If your friends are into this style of music it'll be a superb album for your clique. If you enjoy Junior Boys try out Royksopp they are a little bit more experimental if you're willing to broaden your horizons.