Junior Boys
Last Exit (Kin)
By: Bruce Mowat
I am a veritable Johnny come lately on this item, but I have an excuse: whenever an electronica act breaks, it usually happens like this. The act forms in studio five years ago, in 1999. They don't play out live, so nobody notices.The act releases a couple of EPs, which garner critical attention in the electro-specialist/college boy rags.
Act releases full-length CD overseas, and service it to a select few North American writers This, in turn, is picked up by the cannier news-hounds in the big centres, which amplify said buzz to a dull roar. Act gets North American release on strength of buzz.
I know the drill quite well, done it myself! And so has Manitoba, who has done re-mixes for these Hamilton lads. The question: is the hype on the Junior Boys warranted?
I listened to Last Exit, and here's what the e-Mole lab came up with.
If you consolidate three or four different channels in the 1,000 channel universe, someone somewhere, is going to call you a genius. The Junior Boys' trick: mix equal parts '80s synth-pop, moderne R&B, and avant-tinkering, broadly hint at a classic pop sensibility to get old farts like myself interested (say Brian Wilson! Look at the birdie!) .
Consolidators invariably get compared to the Beatles, who did analogous moves in their hey!day (mix Motown, rockabilly, country harmonies, and tin Pan Alley et voila!).
Therefore I predict: the J.B's. are gonna be H-U-G-E! For at least the Warholian prescribed time.
Do I respect the Junior Boys? Yes. Does this mean I like their music? No, although Matt Didemus is a swell person. To be honest, I fell asleep 2/3rds of the way through it. I guess I'm just not sensitive enough.
If anyone on this list wants my generic copy of the CD (no sleeve provided, sorry) write me.
