Jimmy Bonar - Album Review: Working Class
Working Class is a very polished and clean
soft rock album, clearly a work crafted over time and perfected with much care
in a recording studio, as the lush sound and clarity of the recordings are of
high quality and consistent throughout. Jimmy is clearly influenced by The
Beatles and has recreated their sound with a little help of a slight English
accent on the vocals, to the point where Jimmy's voice sounds like of a mix of John
Lennon and Noel Gallagher.
The songs are well crafted, highlights are Helping
Hand, Take A Bow andA Bit Of A Bob with wonderful arrangements that are easy on the ear, with very catchy melodies, all sung with startling clarity and perfect diction by
Jimmy's soulful and smooth voice. The sweet tuneful nature of each song to a
degree obscures you from the more complex themes of the songs which range from
high maintenance lovers and suppressed emotions, there is a theme in there
somewhere we all can connect with at some point in our lives.
The music has been given the treatment in post-production
with layered vocals and distant effect laden backing vocals which create some
cool vibes. There is an distinct formula for the songs on the album, with
gentle soft rock songs and the occasional folky ballad all done to a standard
pop arrangement, with crisp mixing and mastering polishing it all off, maybe
it’s a little too polished as it's slightly too sparkly and clean, with the
band sounding so perfect they almost sound synthesised. But you can tell Working
Class is a creation of Jimmy's' labour and love, he has delivered an
album that’s enjoyable to listen to, with very catchy tunes, they feel good and
you soon will be singing and smiling along.
About Jimmy Bonar
Born the week The Beatles were # 1 in America with 'Yesterday'.... that might sound pretty ancient but the man himself is nothing of the sort......born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand he lists amongst his major musical influences as The Beatles (whom he credits as shaping his outlook on music and life in general), Led Zeppelin, Sheryl Crow, Ryan Adams, The Small Faces, George Harrison………….but really the list is endless.
The first song Jimmy Bonar ever wrote was entitled 'Out of Nowhere' when he was 17 years old. Subsequently as he matured as an artist subconscious themes were forming and evolving - that of a continued exploration of his inner self coupled with an often simplistic yet engaging outlook on everyday life.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Jimmy Bonar
Releases
Other Reviews By Andrew Smit
Album Review: 1 Drop Nation
20 Dec 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Opening with a very spiritual Maori haka Intro - Waerea, we were introduced to the opening track Homeland, which is an unashamedly patriotic Aotearoa anthem with repeated strains of "We are one nation". This is a track that proudly declares love for home, while also being a rally call for the future.
Read More...
Tahini Bikini - Album Review: Fever Dream
15 Nov 2022 // by Andrew Smit
An album full of very danceable funk tunes, loaded with tight guitar, bass, brass and percussion that provide a perfect foundation for the expressive soulful vocals of Madeline Lucy Taylor. Her unique clarity is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse or our own Kiwi songstress Gin Wigmore.
Read More...
Haze Lane - Single/Video Review: Natural Feeling
22 Aug 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Matching the songs title very aptly South Auckland indie band Haze Lane has produced Natural Feeling, a very organic song that does indeed deliver a very smooth natural feeling. The ultra-cool ambient sound is reminiscent to the early roots sound of Six60 and L.
Read More...
Gig Review: Anthonie Tonnon @ Hollywood Cinema, Auckland - 14/05/2022
16 May 2022 // by Andrew Smit
On a coolish Saturday evening it was great to see a rather large crowd that clearly were so happy and eager to experience a night of live music, and what a perfect venue to stage it at the slightly musty but still majestic Hollywood Cinema in Avondale. Opening the proceedings was the cool 4 piece band Lips with their ambient 80’s groove thanks to the techno synth sounds from keyboardist and singer Steph Brown.
Read More...
Vogel Town - Single Review: Sludge City
24 Apr 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Interestingly Vogel Town's new song Sludge City begins with an automated telephone voice, and then a street argument which is soon accompanied by a very groovy walking bass line, quickly growing from just a couple of notes to a broad melody of its own. At first the only addition is some nice, nonchalant drum fills, but as the background street noise fades away, the introduction of vibrant reverberating guitar strums adds a final element that completes the ensemble perfectly, and altogether this provides a very cool bluesy vibe.
Read More...
SKRAM - Single Review: Living Our Lives
22 Mar 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Beginning with some straightforward but quite funky keys your soon steered to a very upbeat and chunky ensemble of music that energetically drives along with its super groovy reggae vibe. SKRAM are a very high energy 3-piece pop group that have delivered a fine tune that embodies their claim of “energetic” perfectly.
Read More...
Tomorrow People - Album Review: 21
02 Jan 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Tomorrow People have produced a wonderful assemblage of uplifting reggae tunes that are performed and sung with heart and purpose. All 16 tracks are packed with brilliant harmonies that are propelled along by the glorious uplifting off beat rhythmic delight that reggae music delivers so well.
Read More...
Torn Chorus - Single/Video Review: This City Floats
10 Sep 2021 // by Andrew Smit
From a simple opening beat to a wonderful flourish of acoustic guitars layered with luscious chorus and flange effects, the new single from Torn Chorus, This City Floats, is brought to life with wailing electric lead guitar licks and slides that sound melodically precise and emotive. Crisp vocals tell you about the labour and reward that you get for following the beaten path to the top, which as the video shows so well, is Auckland’s remnant volcanic cones, but the metaphor could be used for any journey in life.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
