2. Listen to the full album if you want to make sure that you like it first.
I stole this gorgeous pic from the idolator site linked above. I don’t have any regrets.
Points about Jay Brannan and this album in no particular order:
1. Let me start by mentioning one of the least important and yet most potentially alienating things about Jay Brannan and his album. He’s a gay man and he sings without pretending to be anything else nor does he mess with playing the pronoun game. He always has been unabashedly honest in his lyrics, as far as I know, and I pray he always will. It is so refreshing and, quite frankly, beautiful to hear a gay musician sing blatantly about his loves and passions without trying to make it more ‘palatable’ for straight listeners. I say this as a straight listener, by the way. If someone has a problem with that, then they shouldn’t buy his music and they should go the heck away.
2. Jay Brannan’s voice isn’t all that strong. He’s not a belter and his range isn’t outrageously awesome (though his high notes are pure and surprising), but he knows that and he doesn’t try to pretend like he’s Sinead O’Connor or Tori Amos or Freddie Mercury. He’s Jay Brannan and he’s got a damn good idea of who that is, and he sings really awesome songs that are exactly just right for his range and voice, with lyrics that hook right into a person’s brain and whisper messages that are both from him and from somewhere outside of him and from somewhere inside each listener. In other words, no, he’s not the most amazeballs vocalist ever, but give the guy a chance. He does what he does, and he does it damn well.
“Sub-normal people do supernatural things.
In a world full of demons with white feathered wings,
I feel like I’m open hearted, but it’s a broken range we’re on.
I know I’m not the only one asking where have all the cowboys gone?
Well can’t one of these cowboys come rescue me?
I need a little bit of rope ‘n’ ride to keep me on my feet.”
Everywhere There’s Statues
3. Jay Brannan’s latest album, produced by…uh, let me see…David Kahne (wow, stellar!) makes the most of the power of backing instrumentation choices to compliment Jay’s vocal limitations. (I actually hate to use that word because I think it doesn’t serve him well and minimizes his talent, but that’s the word that is coming to mind.) A fantastic example is on “Greatest Hits” where strings and drums are used in wonderful, subtle, and not subtle ways to push the emotion in the song that Jay’s voice just isn’t ever going to be able to bring entirely on its own. In other words, the production of this latest album is wonderful, and each song has something special in the production that creates an atmosphere that grows more breathtaking with every listen.
Greatest Hits
4. Jay Brannan has OTHER ALBUMS and you should buy them all. But if you can’t afford it, I truly recommend his latest for now, and then when you get paid buy the rest. And, yes, the covers album is so incredibly worth it. Buy it, too.
5. And in additional very important but shallow news about Jay Brannan — he is ridiculously cute. See?
So, to sum up, I’ve been obsessing over this album for going on two weeks and I don’t see an end in sight. I enthusiastically recommend it to all and sundry. Go forth! Spend money! Buy music!
Apr 23, 2012 @ 06:46:14
Great musician I enjoyed the acoustic vid. Very earnest. Never heard of him so thanks for turning me on!
Apr 23, 2012 @ 06:48:35
Enjoy! I’m happy that you liked it! Definitely check out the link at the beginning to a free listen to his album.
Thanks for commenting and letting me know!
Apr 23, 2012 @ 10:33:05
I think I actually prefer the softer voice on a male singer, so Jay’s is perfect for my listening style. As far as his range goes, his songs don’t seem to be affected by it and the words are quite poignant. I am glad you shared the videos.
Apr 23, 2012 @ 12:15:36
Yes, he’s got a really great voice. I definitely didn’t mean to downplay the quality of it by saying he’s not a belter and doesn’t have great range. I agree that in general I have a preference for men with quieter voices and great lyrics and he does fit right into my favorites. I’m happy you enjoyed the videos!
Apr 23, 2012 @ 10:38:27
I think Half-Boyfriend was the first song that I ever heard him singing. I loved the honesty of it! As you said, he may not be the strongest singer, but his insights capture a listener. I’d take him any time over the reality shows and their often vanilla voices that get all this buzz.
Apr 23, 2012 @ 12:19:03
I bought his album “goddamned” several years back on the advice of Aimee (if you, M, are who I think you are, then you know the Aimee of which I speak). I didn’t really listen to it, though, at the time because I think I got all into Cory Branan (similar last name!), and Wild Sweet Orange, and Lucero around that time and didn’t pull my head out of that music for awhile in order to check it out. I think the first ones that caught my attention were “Bowlegged and Starving” and “Housewife”, but Lord knows that “Half-Boyfriend” is a favorite for sure. I agree completely about preferring him over so much of the vanilla mainstream that gets the buzz. *nods*
May 03, 2012 @ 03:54:41
I just found out he’s going to be performing in Amsterdam on May 19! In the Milky Way (Melkweg) which is a really cool indie venue. Am going to check for tickets.
May 03, 2012 @ 06:25:59
Oh, excellent! Report back about it!
I’m going to see him in Nashville, but that’s not until August. Still, I’m excited.
Jul 10, 2012 @ 20:15:46
A wonderful post.
I basically agree with every point you made. Bringing David Kahne on as producer really brought out some interesting new touches. For some reason it took me four months to write about this album, but I love it dearly, Jay’s music is a good example of the kind of music I love; sharp, witty and emotionally raw, with catchy melodies.
For my favorite Jay song, I think I’d have to nominate “At First Sight”. Or “Bowlegged and Starving”. Or “Home”.
Jul 12, 2012 @ 12:19:52
Aw, that was nice of you to come check out my post. I hadn’t intended that, but that is very nice of you!
I agree with everything you say about this album and Jay’s music in general. I think my favorite Jay song would be either “Bowlegged and Starving” or “Greatest Hits”. But, really, I love them all, so it’s hard to say, and my opinion could change on any given day. Thanks for stopping by my blog! 