Veneer (20Th Anniversary Deluxe)＜限定盤/Clear Vinyl＞

Don't let the name fool you; singer/songwriter Jose Gonzalez is a Swedish-born and -raised son of Argentine parents. His debut album, Veneer, is a striking collection of hushed and autumnal indie pop bedroom songs that reside on the hi-fi end of the lo-fi spectrum. Gonzalez is definitely a member of the "quiet is the new loud" school as founded by Elliott Smith and the Kings of Convenience. Veneer is about as intimate as they come; it sounds like he is sitting right on the end of your bed singing just for you. At times, Gonzalez is a little more forceful than most of his schoolmates, often working himself into a tightly spinning ball of emotion (as on the driving "Lovestain" and the bluesy "Hints"). At these moments his voice is reminiscent of Mark Kozelek, only without the wild flights of pretension. Mostly though, he is content to cruise along on mellow vocals double-tracked behind gently plucked and strummed acoustic guitars. The beautiful "Heartbeats," "Deadweight on Velveteen," and the gently rollicking "Stay in the Shade" are the high watermarks of a remarkably focused and promising debut. Gonzalez is a welcome addition to the q-school of indie pop. ~ Tim Sendra

アルゼンチン人でありながらスウェーデンで生まれ育ったシンガー・ソングライター＝ホセ・ゴンザレスのデビュー作。全編を貫く冷んやりした空気のなかで、柔らかく温もりのある歌声に、控えめだが色鮮やかなパーカッション、儚げなトランペットが差し色を添える。ボサノヴァを愛し、フラメンコも習得した彼のギターの音色からは、ほのかにラテン音楽のエキゾティシズムが漂う。いつでもそばに居てほしい、優しい音楽だ。
bounce (C)長屋 美保