Premature Evaluation: Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care
As they go on, it feel like Junior Boys are allowing their sound to thaw incrementally: So This Is Goodbye felt less icy than Last Exit and it makes good sense that in the press photo that accompanied our post of album standout "Parallel Lines" Jeremy Greenspan and Johnny Dark are caught in the midst of a sunspot. It would be misleading to characterize Begone Dull Care as warm, but there are definitely some brighter tones mixed amid the frigid synthesizers and Greenspan's achy new wave vocalizations.
As we've previously mentioned, Begone Dull Care's a reference to a short film by Norman McLaren, who they say also influenced the album as a whole. But this is just namedropping unless you can see the flick and hear Oscar Peterson's sounds accompanying the hand-painted animation. So here it is, a "fantasia of color" (see, not just hues of blue).
Drawing from that larger palette results in upbeat (and upfront vocally) dance floor shakers like "Bits & Pieces" and its "I see you better when the lights are out" bragadoccio. Yes, past tracks like "Birthday," "The Equalizer," or "In The Morning" tap into something dusky but also anthemically joyous. Well, where do you put the almost-chipper, Nobukazu Takemura-style synth glitter of "Dull To Pause" in the Junior Boys canon? Again, nothing actually sunny, but the duo is definitely cracking some light hole in the side of their box (just wait until 2:44 mark in this one to see what we mean). Does it work?
It's interesting: Now that the atmosphere's more varied, individual tracks feel more naked, exposed. The overall vibe isn't as cohesively nighttime and frigid. During the first couple of listens this has us thinking Begone Dull Care had a few dull spots (even though it opens immaculately with "Parallel Lines"). After a few more listens we've found more to dig ("Work" really does work it and "Dull To Pause" is so weirdly satisfying in its sing-a-long nerd-ball anthemics), but there isn't anything as majestic as "Teach Me How To Fight" or as immediately moving as "FM." The first single "Hazel" pales in comparison to the aforementioned (we would've lobbied for "Parallel Lines" to be single one).
So, ok, much of Begone will go over well on the dance floor (and better in the dark bedroom), but letting in the light isn't always the best thing for a party. That said, fans will certainly find plenty of things to be happy mopey about, and these compositions are incredibly layered and complex, so we need more time to parse it all (the clickity, intimate, seemingly stringed "it's all 'cause of you" love song "Animator" just now bloomed ... and keeps on blooming). We're gluing the headphones on and plan to keep digging even after "published" gets pressed on this thing. Also, we're happy to report it's snowing in Brooklyn again: Ideal listening conditions for Junior Boys, even at their "sunniest."
Begone Dull Care is out 3/24 in Canada and 4/7 in the US via Domino. Before that, you'll be able to nab the 12"/digital single of "Hazel."
Posted at 6:00 PM in Premature Evaluation
Tags: Junior Boys
I've just started digging into this album, but I agree with most of your assessment. "Parallel Lines" and "Dull" are highlights
Score = 2
This is a bit different from their previous album, but that one never got under my skin somehow... this one definitely does!
Score = 3
they have two previous albums.
Score = -5
Awesome short film.
Score = 1
Be kind – POST IT!
Score = -2
bits & pieces + dull to pause + hazel = threepeat.
Score = 2
BEGONE DULL ALBUM, AMIRITE EVERYBODY
Score = -6
hazel = the fucking JAM.
Score = 2
its pretty decent i think. if i had to score i'd say a 6 or 7.. bits & pieces is my fav right now
Score = 0
No, Jimbo you are wrong as can be. Begone Dull Care is an addictive, fantastic album, transitional feeling aside, and is quite possibly Junior Boys' finest album yet!
Score = 4
The first thing that struck me when listening to this album (and i am a huge junior boys fan) is how much this album sounds derivative of another era (some 80's, some 90's synths and especially the sax). their past two albums always had their own unique sound, but this ones somewhat harkens back to the same vibe as some of those cheesy 80's ballads.
Don't get me wrong, i don't think it's bad...just different. Will have to listen more.
Score = -1
Are you a Junior Boys fan? Because their last album had several ballads that are the same vibe you're talking about. They were some of the best songs on the album.
Score = 0
Love it. Love it. Love it so much. I was eagerly waiting for it and didnt disappoint. You're right, is warmer and, I think, more rich in all senses.
Love it.
Score = 0
that's not johnny dark in the photo - he hasn't been a junior boy for quite some time.
Score = 0
not as good as I thought it would be, honestly.
So This Is Goodbye was better...FACT.
Score = -1
On "Hazel" and "Sneak a picture" i can't help but keep thinking it sounds like a late 80's george michael song. hrrmmm.
Score = 0
This album didn't hook me at first, but after repeated listens, I've been able to find a way into every song except the third one. The JB's do not disappoint.
Score = 0
Yeah, that's not Johnny Dark in the photo. Junior Boys has been Jeremy Greenspan and Matthew Didemus ever since Last Exit was released. Johnny Dark only worked on a total of five songs from Last Exit, and left Jeremy Greenspan before the completion of Last Exit.
Score = 0
Sorely disappointed after first listen. I was expecting better things after listening to "No Kinda Man," something more reminiscent to Last Exit. They should can the studio and get back to the laptop, in my opinion. Not a wholly bad album, just not what I was hoping from them. A bit contrived I must say. I'll give it a few more runs though.
Score = 0