JUSTIN CONNOR: Behind the Sun

Justin Connor

Behind the Sun

© 2002 Wiry Pulse Records (602977054521)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Rare factory-sealed, orignal-artwork copies of Justin's hard-to-find debut EP.

tracks

1 Angelyne
2 Behind the Sun
3 Cracker Jack
4 Lull
5 Content

notes

LIMITED AVAILABILITY!!

Written and recorded in Los Angeles in early 2002, Justin's debut EP, 'Behind the Sun', got shelved before it ever got the chance to receive the vast attention it deserved, due to his recent full-length debut release, 'Kaliyuga'.

'Behind the Sun' has been heavily traded, burned, and downloaded for the last few years -- and now a limited amount of copies are available in its original form, with the original artwork, and photos -- all in mint condition, but unfortunately, in extremely limited supply.

Many of the songs were later re-recorded, re-mixed, and served as the impetus for Justin's full-length debut release, entitled 'Kaliyuga'. 'Behind the Sun' garnered critical acclaim by fans and critics alike, with Justin putting his own stamp on defining an original, idiosyncratic lo-fi aesthetic with style to spare.

"Imagine a voice between a young Lou Reed and Roger Waters crossed with Coldplay... fans of The Verve should check this out too because these 5 songs could very well have been written by Richard Ashcroft. The track Angelyne just needs a video on MTV to promote it with and the success would be in the same division as the one Coldplay are enjoying right now. Behind the Sun feels like sitting on the rocks by the sea on a cloudy day in November, looking out on the raging waters and just being totally lost in the magic of the stormy ocean - Pink Floyd couldn´t have done it better - hypnotic and seductive, yet so beautiful...."
- www.melodic.net

For more music, news, and tour information please visit www.justinconnor.com. To purchase "Kaliyuga" go to www.cdbaby.com/cd/justinconnor2.

reviews

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  • author: Minor 7th Webzine

    "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."

  • Eclectopop Deluxe!
    author: David Walker

    Like most of the music that has the ability to grab and hold my attention, the tunes on this record are chock-a-block with an array of references, some of which are given off-handed consideration and some of which are articulated in an explicit, full-bodied sort of way. That's cool. But, the real bottom line is that, with this record, Justin proves he knows how to elaborate his broad base into yummy pop that ultimately acquires its distinctive branding not from sources outside the author, but from that which is uniquely Justin. In other words...it's a kewl disc! I say you should buy it now!!

  • Fun, soulful music by a talented musician.
    author: Kaya Styn

    This CD is a blast! From the fun and lively 'crackerjack' to the mysterious 'lull', this CD is a joy to listen to. The music is crisp and the lyrics sneak in and grab a hold of your brain. All five songs are very well done. I must admit, I've had 'crackerjack' stuck in my head for the past few days...but I've got no complaints. The song is alive, clever and full of energy. I look forward to more music...

  • Great music.
    author: Patrick Nagle

    I've enjoyed listening to this CD since I got it about a week ago. I haven't taken it out of my CD changer in my car since I got it... that's a pretty good sign. Justin Connor's music is sort of like a refreshing wave that meanders back and forth in a playful rhythm between the soulful soft pentrating sound of Pink Floyd and the free-spirited relaxed natural sound of Jimmy Buffet or Dave Mathews. I dig this CD. The songs get in your head and just sort of bounce around up there like a warm velvet beach ball until you listen to the CD again.

  • put the headphones on
    author: Jarkko Cain

    very soulful and intelligent. classic and modern. sparse and lush. perfect dialectics. and like a lot of my favorite music, i hear something different with each listen. quite a remarkable attention to detail. i'm going for cracker jack as my favorite, so far.

  • A taste of Connor's astute musicianship and knack for raw, meaty lyrics.
    author: Dug Blakley

    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!

  • Great debut from a bedroom folk-pop songwriter/producer
    author: Scott McLean

    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.

  • i really dig this amazing ep.
    author: william a davis, Heaven Incorported

    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...

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