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Madam Hooplah's favourite non-muppet related Swede.
Publisher: Shock
Tue, 29 November 2005
by: Madame Hooplah
Jose Gonzalez is a 27 year old Swedish artist who has been a major hit in his home country. His debut single went top ten and his debut album "Veneer" earnt him a (Swedish) Grammy award.
The Australian tour EP might lead you to assume that these tracks are recorded live in Australia but it's not the case. It simply serves as an introduction to his potential new fans as he tours our country for the first time.
Perhaps this explains the inclusion of his cover of 'Hand On Your Heart'- the Stock/Aiken/Waterman hit originally sung by Kylie Minogue. I can't think of any other reason to cover it, especially so earnestly and without a hint of humour.
The EP begins with another cover- Joy Divisions' 'Love will tear us apart'. The guitar strums away energetically enough, but Jose sings it in a pretty flat and strained manner. The lack of keyboard seems to deflate it as well.
'Suggestions'- the second track, begins to highlight José's' skill as a guitarist. It's a very pleasant, well-articulated instrumental piece. The title aptly describes the questioning quality of the phrases.
'Down The Hillside' is a more lively and upbeat number with nice light percussion and a more relaxed sounding vocal. Jose sounds more at home with this folksy, colourful number.
The guitar in 'Sensing Owls' is more static with a repetitive phrase driven along by the light but energetic percussion.
Next comes the aforementioned 'Hand On Your Heart'. It's pretty unrecognisable at first. You just start to realise that the lyrics are silly and then recognition strikes. If he was attempting to bring out the inherent beauty in the song with his beautiful guitar and super earnest vocals it's fruitless. Some may say he was polishing a turd.
Track number six is an instrumental imaginatively titled 'instr.'.
Insistent strumming builds tension and alternates with a bar or five of brass, repeat and repeat again…would have been really nice to have a meatier melody or a change somewhere here. The track ends with muffled voices and birdsong that goes on for longer than it needs to.
'Storm' is a moodier track as the title suggests. It's very Nick Drake and although it suits José's' voice really well it just reminds you of something that someone else did better.
The final track is the 'Rocket Boy' remix of the Swedish hit 'Heartbeats'. This one will have you asking yourself- "Am I in a disco with John Denver"?
Despite that, it's nice to hear Jose sounding a bit funkier and more playful, even with the nasty retro styling.
Jose played at the Queenscliff Music Festival on November 27th. On the 29th and 30th he can be seen at the Northcote Social Club.
The Australian Tour EP possibly is not the best showcase for Jose Gonzalez. It's pleasant and innocuous but does reveal some potential. It would be good to hear more original material. His second album is in the works and should be worth a listen.
by: Madame Hooplah
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