Customer Reviews

Year of Mondays

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

 

 

I came across Mike Johnson through my interest in Dinosaur Jr, and was interested to hear what he's done on his own. I also saw Johnson once open for J Mascis' unplugged tour of a couple of years ago. In any case, I was very pleased with this CD, though, given his Dino Jr. connection, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. His voice and delivery reminded me a lot of Leonard Cohen, and there is also a lot of country influence. I read once that Johnson is a big fan of Charlie Rich.

The music is excellent, which is not surprising considering the supporting cast Johnson has on this album, including J Mascis returning to his roots with drums. (I was at another Dinosaur Jr. concert in DC a couple of years ago in which they included "Eclipse" in the encore, with Mascis switching to the drums).

Of the songs, "Left in the Dark" (beautiful vocals and harmony on this one) and the afore-mentioned "Eclipse" are my favorites.

Mike Johnson's dark moody 2nd album is full of great music and hushed vocals for anyone down on their luck.Slow burning ballads of not fitting in and lost love burrow their way into your mind and stay there.Best song is the 9 minute Eclipse that builds in power as it goes on.Ironically the title of the first song Where Am I? is the title of Johnson's first release.Out of Mike Johnson's small handful of releases this is still my favorite...downbeat but wonderful.

The most under rated singer songwriter of the 90s hands down. If you're into Nick Drake, Townes Van Zandt, Willis Alan Ramsey, Jackson C Frank, Leonard Cohen et al you won't be dissappointed. It's dark, smoky, and at takes me to places that I didn't know existed.