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Dec 13, 2010 Web Exclusive By Kenny S. McGuane

Oxford, England’s Jonquil have described themselves as “Paul Simon’s take on The Smiths” and if that sounds like music that could be potentially—or undoubtedly—annoying, that’s because it kind of is. But Jonquil’s distinctive variety of math-rock works in small doses and such is—mostly—the case with their latest EP, One Hundred Suns. There’s just over 30 minutes of music here and it feels like music we’re supposed to love. Jonquil can be pretty alienating and yet there’s something intrinsically charming about them. Frontman Hugo Manuel, whose solo project under the moniker Chad Valley is gaining quite a bit of momentum, has a not-so-pitch-perfect warbling falsetto that he relies on far too much and yet he demands to be heard.

Jonquil posses a high level of musicianship (they’d better if they’re gonna name drop the likes of Paul Simon and The Smiths) and the arrangements on One Hundred Suns reflect this in an orchestral kind of way. The kick-off track, “Fighting Smiles,” is an uppity, deliciously reverb-drenched track with intricate guitar work and fuzzed out synthesizers and it segues seamlessly into the kind-of-rock-and-roll of “Get Up,” which is hook heavy and catchy. The Oxford three-piece really sound best when they slow things down a bit like on the thoughtful and steady “Compound”. Overall the music on One Hundred Suns is too busy, which makes paying close attention exhausting. The hyperactive drumming, the perpetually circling guitars and Manuel’s stuck-in-the-high-register vocals make for one of those listening experiences where you’re left out of breath 35 minutes later asking, “What just happened here?”

Jonquil are a young, talented bunch and they’re part of an emerging Oxford music scene, so their future is bright indeed, but their music would be well served by taming some of their eccentricities, otherwise this variety of organic math-rock can sound just plain goofy. (www.myspace.com/jonquiluk)

Author rating: 5/10