Obvious Daily Music Review: Goodbye Blue Monday by Jeremy Fisher

My good friend, journalist and music critic extraordinaire Andre Salles pointed out to me that I use the word “quirky” too much in my reviews. He is right of course (he usually is check out his weekly column here: www.tm3am.com). To say he disagrees with me on my review of the new Matthew Sweet is a serious understatement. He loved the record and I can’t stand it. Usually we’re more in line with whether or not we can deem a record worthy of praise. I described Matthew Sweet's earlier work as “quirky,” which, as Andre has pointed out, is a stretch. In my defense, I like quirky music. Most of the albums I like have “quirky” elements, but that’s no excuse, I need to find other words that will say what I’m trying to describe. Which brings us to today’s album review Jeremy Fisher’s Goodbye Blue Monday. I am tempted to call it upbeat pop with quirky arrangements and great melodies…but there’s that word again! The arrangements have some unique elements…is that better? This record came out in 2007 here in the States and I have just recently rediscovered it. It’s a favorite that I have come back to and I can’t stop listening to it. Jeremy is a young Canadian musician with a good voice and a great ear. The opening track, “Scar That Never Heals” (and a few other songs) sound a lot like Paul Simon’s solo stuff, ala “Kodachrome” and “Me and Julio.” The fact that it’s a bit derivative of Paul is the only complaint though. The music, melodies and lyrics are very clever and well written the strong influence is easily forgiven as evidenced on “Remind Me.” Not every track is a winner but the album has a number of acoustic pop tracks with a cool vocal that makes it easy to love.
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For more information: http://www.jeremyfishermusic.com/
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Comments

[Dave]

Hey, next time Andre cites you for using the word "quirky" too much, tell him he starts far too many columns with "So" or "So I." Sheesh. It has this fakey, tacky, too-familiar feel to it, and he's a much better writer than that. He's only done it about five times so far this year, but even once is too many for me.

You may not have noticed this "so" business, but now that I've pointed it out, it'll gnaw at you the next time you see it. Just like it gnaws at me! Mission accomplished.

But hey, I like Andre and his column. I hope this doesn't come across as mean-spirited. Maybe he has some tongue-in-cheek reason for doing it, and I'm not inside enough to get the joke.