"Behind the Sun" boldly sets out to go where no five song EP has ever gone. Though decidedly contemporary and rather quirky in its originality, the music makes significant nods to some very heavy hitters. The lush and lovely production work of the opening tune ("Angelyne") demonstrates how good this record can get. The introduction showcases a tension-building duel between folk-rock acoustic arpeggios and a single note attack on electric guitar. There are surprises throughout with ambient sounds, layers of harmony, unexpected changes, and shifting dynamics. Then the whole mix transforms and goes out with a quote of "Hey Jude." Yet with all of this, the tune remains sufficiently pop. Connor's vocals are breathy and low affect. "Cracker Jack" is a rock and roll vaudeville driven by a jaunty piano. It's a collage of sections and sounds altogether like something from an early 70's concept album. The compressed vocals, sound effects, and studio tricks in "Behind the Sun" and "Lull" show Connor has been listening to Radiohead. So do the lyrics, which can be sharp and cynically paranoid ("All these politicians feeding on the pulpit's tainted snow.") or off the mark ("There is a place behind the sun where the eagles smile and the cripples run.") The acoustic rhythm guitar and lead of "Content" reference the Grateful Dead's "Uncle John's Band" and underpin lyrics like, "Old man Joe he got drunk on faceless wine/He found his keys but left his soul not far behind.../There's a hit man in disguise and your credit card's got spent,/but right now I feel pretty damn content." Justin Connor's website (justinconnor.com) is cool, ambitious, overflowing with ideas, a tribute to imagination and technical skill, and well worth a visit. From my computer, almost everything there worked spectacularly well, but a few things did not work at all. Much the same could be said of my experience of "Behind the Sun."

i really dig this amazing ep. In the space of five songs, Mr. Connor has achieved the variety, complexity and clarity that most artists are unable to capture through an entire career. Each of his songs are entities unto themselves, the offspring of Beck and the Beatles and Radiohead and too many too talented others to list in a short review. Skip to "Behind the Sun" or "Lull" and you'll know what i'm talking about. There's a lushness, and there's a simplicity, and there's an acoustic vibe, with an electronic backdrop; and there's a poignancy and an immediacy and an intimacy to the lyrics and to the intelligence present throughout. i'm proud to say that i've listened to this. Hopefully, this is an inkling of more to come...

This is a wonderul introduction to Justin's talents as a songwriter and a producer. Although I hear many influences at work -- from Dylan, Pink Floyd, Grandaddy, and Randy Newman -- Justin has given up 5 songs that are all his own. Above all, Justin demonstrates a keen sense for subtle, classic pop melodies, and a great talent for arrangement. He is as comfortable with complex orchestration as he is with a raw folk aesthetic. I am very much looking forward to his full-length debut.

The visiual artist John Baldassari once said "The purpose of art is nothing more than to keep the wound of consciousness open and raw." This is exactly what Justin Connor's EP "behind the sun" personifies. Connor gives us a taste of his astute musicianship and his knack for raw, meaty lyrics (my favorite being "Cracker Jack") that are laced throughout with subtle flavors reminiscent of Pink Floyd, Beck, Radiohead and Tom Waits, but are indescribably creations from Connor's own heart and spirit. This EP displays flat-out the importance of a well-written song and that a well-written song "is" important. Can't wait to hear what else this artist has to offer!