JUSTIN CONNOR: Kaliyuga

Justin Connor

Kaliyuga

© 2004 Wiry Pulse Records (825346345024)

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Gorgeous post-apocalyptic pop music; spacy melodies, introspective lyrics, and dreamy landscapes reminiscent of Radiohead, The Velvet Underground, and John Lennon. Songs for the end of the world - an end that you won't mind at all...

tracks

1 Kaliyuga
2 Angelyne
3 Behind the Sun
4 Cracker Jack
5 Rhythms of Disguise
6 Mu
7 Lull
8 Content
9 Imposter
10 Kentucky
11 Masquerade
12 Home
13 The Happiest Goodbye

notes

"This Justin Connor kid is pretty tricky. It's all in his voice. He has that rare quality where you immediately get the impression that he's a songwriter par excellence. Kind of the I-can-sing-but-I-don't-have-to-prove-it thing that the Dylans, Springsteens, and even Becks have done so nicely in years past. When Justin Connor sings something, it sounds important, and it sounds like the voice of wisdom."

- www.1340mag.com

"Gorgeous post-apocalyptic pop music. Justin Connor is well-schooled in the art of songwriting. 'Kailyuga' exudes a kind of cheery melancholy and tragic beauty that's hard to describe any other way. These are songs for the end of the world - and end that you won't mind at all."

- www.aiding&abetting.com

"Justin Connor's 'Kaliyuga' boldly sets out to go where no CD has ever gone. Though decidedly contemporary and rather quirky in its originality, the music's lush and lovely production work demonstrates how good this record can get. There are surprises throughout with ambient sounds, layers of harmony, unexpected changes, and shifting dynamics. Yet with all of this, the music remains sufficiently pop, a collage of sections and sounds altogether like something from an early 70's concept album...cool, ambitious, overflowing with ideas, a tribute to imagination and technical skill, and well worth a visit."

- www.minor7th.com


Justin Connor's debut album, Kaliyuga, boldly showcases Justin's knack for crafty songwriting, sonic landscapes, and catchy riffs that seek to soothe the senses with a common collective thread of consciousness. Written and recorded in Los Angeles over the past two years, Kaliyuga is a fearless celebration of various musical styles and sounds, infusing dreamy melodies, lush arrangements, 70's classic rock acoustics, honky-tonk piano riffs, and spacy mantras.

The heart of the music is centered on Justin's soulful voice and introspective lyrics, which often embodies a soft, earnest whisper reminiscent of a young Roger Waters.

Kaliyuga has been hailed by numerous critics, who've compared the music to many of Justin's own inspirations including Radiohead, Pink Floyd, the Velvet Underground, John Lennon, Grandaddy, and Beck. However, Justin puts his own stamp on defining an original, idiosyncratic lo-fi aesthetic that's contemplative in both style and sound. In the process, he's created not only an accessible singer-songwriter pop album, but a genre defining sound with style to spare.

With such a unique sound in tow, Kaliyuga caught the eyes and ears of Nic Harcourt, legendary host of KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic in Los Angeles, who has recently culled some of Justin's tracks into his program's rotation.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Justin often feels like a fish out of water in the media-ego-obsessed Hollywood, but often finds solace living in the mayhem of its ever evolving structures. His CD is now available at www.cdbaby.com, and he's currently playing out in the Los Angeles area, while planning a West coast tour in the future to promote the CD and garner interest from indie labels in the process.

reviews

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  • A Must Have!
    author: Isabella Valentine

    This cd is definitely one you'll keep listening to over and over in your cd player. It's one of those cds that you start playing and your friends ask "Who is that? He sounds great!" When I first opened the package, I ripped it to get to the music and started playing it in my car. Wow. Even a few people at the stoplights asked me who I was listening to. Now that sure doesn't happen every day. My absolute favorite song on here is "Angelyne" which I was introduced to when a friend of mine played it. I purchased Justin's album within 20 minutes of hearing the song and you'll see what I'm talking about when you listen to it!! I also enjoyed "Behind the Sun," "Rhythms of Disguise," "Masquerade," and "The Happiest Goodbye" which are all slow songs. I think Justin Connor is EXCELLENT at his slow songs, which are perfect to get you in the mood to reflect on your life, emotions, and just makes you want to sway your head to the music. Just a side note: When you start playing the cd, it takes about 30 seconds to start playing. At first I thought this was a mistake, but apparently the first song is intentionally supposed to start out that way and build up.

  • Good stuff
    author: Mary

    Mellow guitar music...the kind you like to listen to when you're looking to relax a little. Like to listen to it in the morning..puts me in the right frame of mind for work.

  • One of the best CDs I've ever Heard
    author: Jim

    I don't mean to overhype an album very few people have heard, but I feel that this record merits being recognized as one of the best albums ever written. Sure, many will disagree, that's fine. It's a dreamy, eclectic disc, with profound melodies and dark, dissonant landscapes. The vocals are soothing yet haunting at the same time. The title track, Behind the Sun and Angelyne are disgustingly great songs, drawing influences from Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Elliot Smith. Short of Cracker Jack, the record is flawless. Buy this immediately!

  • Bold
    author: pJ

    Not all the songs on this CD are up my aesthetic alley, but I love listening to the entire album. I think this music is brave. Musically, not many artists tend to actually write something different, mostly for fear of rejection, but Justin has no fear. He let's it all loose. His voice is, by far, his best instrument. His writing takes standard chord progressions and then turns them around and actually makes you listen to the music rathar than depend on the "usual cliches". His voicing and arrangements make real use of the instruments, unlike many arists who think it's cool to use a violin here. All in all, a very likeable album. If you are into taking risks, this is a calculated one. pJ

  • A true masterpiece!
    author: tonesdef1

    This is one of the best albums that I have heard in recent times. With a Pink Floyd/John Lennon edge, you can't go wrong. The melodies are amazing and the song writing is about as good as it gets. BUY THIS ALBUM!

  • An absolute joy to listen to
    author: J i m

    This is a wonderful CD that reminds you of the power of creating music. Connor is a true artist and his music is an absolute joy to listen to. Each song evokes a new mood and memory and his voice brings it all together. Very well done.

  • author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby

    Ranging from rum-soaked spongy pop, to a glorious, endearing dorky jangle of finger-snapping, toe-tapping skippers to spacy, removed and detached drifters, echoes of Ben Folds to Coldplay to Beck to Elliot Smith collide and tangle and burst into a vivid arrival of male pop. Whatever side of sanity he chooses to dance on, every track is a study in commitment to a kernel idea, development and follow-through. Each track is like the only song he ever wrote, a one-hit wonder he slaved over. Unbuckle your self and let him toss you around the stratosphere for awhile.

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