PJ Bond, You Didn't Know I Was Alphabetical
New Brunswick, NJ
For fans of: Rocky Votolato, Kevin Devine, Andy Hull
Associated bands: Outsmarting Simon, The Color Fred, Communipaw
Associated bands: Outsmarting Simon, The Color Fred, Communipaw
Truly sincere songwriting often best comes alive when it is felt, is beautiful, is in its simplest form. On You Didn't Know I Was Alphabetical PJ Bond delivers thoughtful songs in mostly acoustic folk rock form. He tells stories. You can close your eyes, take in the music. The 11-songs are sensitive and heartwarming. There's a slight country-twang and an indie acoustic rock vibe, but with fairly simple instrumentation. The songs are mostly quiet, light.
The opening song "You Too" starts with just acoustic, then has some hand claps. "I know I'll never be a fearless leader saving you," admits Bond. "Stop Being Bad" goes "your too afraid to love because your daddy never did." Many can probably relate to the line "I hate this town" on "Fucking! Vic" or "I can hardly afford to pay my bills" on "Grow Your Smile Wide." Then there's "You Know the Drill" where the music gets twangy. It's funny because the way he expresses the lyrics, whether angry, sad, or happy, is delivered in a calm, sweet way. Some of the songs come off depressing, but a closer look just reveals the trials of life. While the songwriting shines and is consistent, I feel that the album falls short of leaving that yearning feeling. There are times where I feel like Bond could experiment a little more vocally. His voice, while nice, maintains the same pace most of the time. He reminds me of Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra. "Mama, I'm a Smoker" has that vibe like "Colly Strings." He's quiet, but unlike Hull he's not as vocally charged. He doesn't have to be, though. These are his songs, his style. I can appreciate that.
--By Margarita Morales
YDKYA is available on Black Numbers on vinyl 12'', CD, and digitally.
Band Line-up: PJ Bond- vocals, guitar; Brian Bond - guitars, lap and pedal steel; Keith Carne - drums
Tracklisting:
1. You, Too
2. Stop Being Bad
3. Skin and Bones
4. Grow Your Smile Wide
5. Mama, I'm a Smoker
6. You Know The Drill
7. Fucking! Vic
8. Quiet or Loud
9. No Theme Summer (Pastro, PA)
10. The Night of the 27th
11. Oh, Hunter
2. Stop Being Bad
3. Skin and Bones
4. Grow Your Smile Wide
5. Mama, I'm a Smoker
6. You Know The Drill
7. Fucking! Vic
8. Quiet or Loud
9. No Theme Summer (Pastro, PA)
10. The Night of the 27th
11. Oh, Hunter
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