Johnathan Rice - Further North Review
by J. Simpson
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Johnathan Rice is a talented singer/songwriter born on May 27th 1983 in Alexandria Virginia where he grew up splitting his early years between there and his family's origin of Glasgow, Scotland. In 2001 he informed his parents that he wouldn't be going to college and I would assume against their wishes (all good musicians go against their parents wishes, it's a prerequisite) threw his guitar on his back and headed to the NY club scene in search of a recording contract. Three months after he left Rice put out his debut indie E.P. Heart and Mind then in 2002 just as he was readying himself to give up on his dream and go to college Rice got a call from Reprise Records landing him a record deal and really starting his musical career. After putting forth another E.P. in 2004 Rice issued his first full length album Trouble Is Real in 2005. Two years later September of 2007 his sophomore effort Further North was released. It's obvious in Rice's music the influence of his favorite artist like Bob Dylan, Neil Young even Lou Reed have helped mold his sound. Further North is a collection of 11 original tracks and although Rice's music is still a folk/rock type music this disc seems to deal with much more honest and sobering issues while not sacrificing the melodies or rhythm. Rice's current girlfriend Jenny Lewis of the band Rilo Kiley also had an impact on the album in songwriting and even contributing to the duet between her and Rice on the song "End of the Affair." The album as a whole comes across like a fine dry wine. Not too sweet but not lacking any body. The lyrics are on full display with a sharp honesty as they slice through the catchy yet pensive tunes amid Rice's rough antique voice. A couple of the stand out tunes would be "What Am I Going To Do," the lead off track We're "All Stuck Out In The Desert" or the title track "Further North" but I have to reflect as I listen to this disc that it definitely get better with each listen. Useless Information: You can add actor to Johnathan's resume also as he had a small parts in the 2005 movies Mark 8:36 and the Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line where he played Roy Orbison.
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Johnathan Rice - Further North
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