Jose Gonzalez
albums
2006
Veneer - 6/8
Each time I have listened to this album, it has grown on me. First I didn't like it, then I liked it pretty well, and
now I really like it! I think it deserves a high 6/8, a well crafted folk album in an age where that is a rarity. It doesn't
really sound like anyone in particular either, maybe a little of the usual influences (Drake, Simon, some Shins
thrown in there). The record starts off kind of slow with, well, "Slow Moves", but it immediately picks up the pace,
culminating in the one two three punch of "Heartbeats", "Crosses" and "Dead Weight on Velveteen". "Heartbeats"
in particular is a one of a kind folk song with a moving verse that can only come along once in a life time. Later on
in the record, "Save Your Day" proves that Gonzalez has a complete record in mind by throwing another great tune
at us towards the end. The only minor flaw the record has is song length: the songs are too short! Imagine a ten
song record, throwing out "Slow Moves" or the later "Hints", and expanding songs like "All You Deliver", "Stay in the
Shade", and "Love Stain" into the shifting expressionist pieces they are at heart. That would be something, and
those are good songs, but they could easily be great and hopefully Jose will expand this in the future; there are
only three songs over three minutes on Veneer for crying out loud, and they don't get longer than four minutes! Oh
well though, this is still an enjoyable, and complete listen. It might take some time for Gonzalez to find his own
sound, but what he can take credit for here is a great debut that deserves repeated plays and a lot of attention.
- Trevor e.y.
1.slow moves- 2
2.remain- 3
3.love stain- 3
4.heart beats- 4
5.crosses- 4
6.dead weight on velveteen- 4
7.all you deliver- 3
8.stay in the shade- 3
9.hints- 2
10.save your day- 4
11.broken arrows- 3
An Interruption if you will: Veneer was released in 2003 in Gonzalez's native Sweeden, where he is very popular
I hear. Maybe people will catch on in the USA.
 |  |  |  |  |
