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Far Too
Overlooked: A Review of Far Too Jones
Of the numerous live shows Ive attended over the years, no opening band has ever caught my ear quite like Far Too Jones, the Raleigh-based rock band that was opening for my all-time favoriteThe Connells. But FTJ in this November 1998 concert at TRAX in Charlottesville stole the show. I bought their just released CD, Picture Postcard Walls and have been unable to stop listening since. Hearing FTJs music, one cant help but think that the bands catchy guitar riffs along with a definite ability to rock, all the while expressing raw emotion on stage are what power pop should be, even if it isnt! While the rockability factor of FTJ is more comparable to Matthew Sweet and even Dinosaur Jr. than the likes of REM, the band retains the same emotional lyrics as its Southern college band peers, even reminiscent of acts like The Guadacanal Diary. Following Disneys acquisition of Mammouth, the label that produced FTJs 1998 release, the band was forced to put forth its latest effort, Shame & Her Sister on its own Aszams Records in late 2000. Julianna, the albums first single, is a fast, powerful balladwith almost a punk feeldedicated to a confused lover. Following Julianna is Trip Through You a slower, sing-along song with an impressive, harmonizing climax. But perhaps the albums greatest treasure is the next song, Listen, a modulating tune that especially shows off lead singer, Chris Spruill's unique vocal style. Spruill is gifted with one of those Westerberg-like voices that lets you feel every syllable along with him as he sings. A deeper cut track in the album, Blown Away, sandwiched between two ferociously rocking tunes, aptly displays Far Too Jones diverse song-writing ability, as it is a sweet melody that has the listener unknowingly tapping his toes. Despite the bands failure to draw recognition from many commercial radio stations or major labels, its regional fan-base is quite impressive, very similar to that of the Connells in the mid to late 80s. The band packs venues in North Carolinas college-rocking research triangle with fans that know the words to nearly every song. Sadly enough, this is evidence of a band whose talents and potential are overlooked in todays thwarted music industry, in which the demise of the indie college band seems to be inevitable.
You can purchase music by Far Too Jones from Amazon, Insound & CDUniverse LEFT OFF THE DIAL's Far Too Jones Page About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
