Rock/Review Jphono1 - Beyond Provisional
From his early days drumming in The Comas, John Harrison has grown into a consummate veteran of the N.C. scene. Between stints as co-songwriter and bandleader in North Elementary, he’s carved out a prolific visual arts portfolio and regularly shows in galleries around the Triangle NC area. As one of three founders of the collective label, Potluck Foundation, he helps shepherd a far-reaching community of musicians who consistently turn out quality releases.
Jphono1's strong and sweeping rock album "Beyond Provisional" demonstrates the band's development and progress. The album captures a hard-hitting, psychedelic rock sound with much more depth and complexity, including guitarist, vocalist, and keyboardist John Harrison, drummer John Crouch, and newcomer Alex Livingstone on bass, vocals, and keys. Despite the album's strong riffs, Livingstone's songwriting contribution, particularly on "All Charades," adds a new melodic touch and is evocative of Brian Wilson's mastery of harmonies and enticing choruses.
Due to the band's choice to self-mix the record, it has a wall-of-sound quality that envelops the listener. Melting distorted guitars, slamming percussion, and shimmering vocals combine to create an immersive and punishing soundscape on tracks like "Goldtop" and "Magic Here." The band showcases their jamming prowess on "Midnight Moon," an otherworldly energy that feels ready for a live performance, showcasing the combination of grunge and prog rock.
The record has many scorching rock moments, but it also ventures into more introspective areas. Melting guitar solos can be heard in ballads like "A New Way to Kick It," while snappy riffs can be heard in instrumental tunes like "Ramkat." "The Eyelids of Smiling Jenny" has a thick, acid rock atmosphere that ties the album to its psychedelic origins by acknowledging inspirations like Bevis Frond and Screaming Trees.
All things considered, "Beyond Provisional" showcases Jphono1 at its finest, pushing the envelope and confidently incorporating novel aspects. Their status as a powerhouse in contemporary rock is cemented with this record.