Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Boy in a Box" is johnny goudie's first album as a solo artist, and it's an excellent introduction to this gifted singer/songwriter. Goudie has an impecable ear for melody and instrumentation. he creates swirling soundscapes that reflect the strong influences of U2, REM, the New York Dolls, and My Bloody Valentine (I'm almost always going to like an artist if i can hear My Bloody Valentine in their work). Goudie's nasal singing isn't classically beautiful, but i have always thought that a performer's voice is only as good as the emotion it expresses. This is why i consider Bob Dylan and Billy Corgan better singers than Jessica Simpson or Ruben Studdard. Using these criteria, Goudie's pipes are the only ones that could deliver his brand of aching, strutting dream pop.
Listening to the album, I am reminded of other singer/songwriters like Van Morrison or Aimee Mann. Like those two, Goudie isn't revolutionizing the world of music, but he delivers well-crafted expertly produced and lushly arranged. Acoustic and electric guitars mix with ethereal keyboards and the occasional orchrstral accompaniment. Horn arrangements also appear, as on the wonderful, "Leave it Alone", where trumpets play a mournful procession over Goudie's emotional chorus.
The music is both rough and soft on this album. Goudie turns up the volume on the first track, "Sex Machine" and the riff-driven "Back of a Magazine". The ballads are are also strong, though. I dare anyone to dislike "Hello, Good Morning"'s modest beauty and evocative lyrics. And, "Stay", with it's powerful chorus, is one of the best songs on the album.
Of course, the downfall of any songwriter is bad lyrics. Luckily, Goudie is an acerbic wit whose lyrics simultaneously reflect a devilish sense of humor and a genuine emotional core. The summer sing-along "Hold Me Up Tonight" has this nugget: "A thousand miles from here/ regardless of the atmosphere/ you're never too stoned/ to find your way home." Goudie can fit these lyrics into the mood of the music, so he is never mournful or flippant at the wrong time.
I found myself only really having problems one song on this album. I think the vocals in "Back of a Magazine" are a bit gauche in their delivery. Even here, though, the song is saved by it's hammering riff and cocky rock swagger. "Open Invitation" fades out abruptly in what seems to be the middle of a verse. "Standard Issue Pistol" has a refrain that feels less than convincing, as well.
But these complaints are really only an expression of how much i enjoyed these songs. I wanted their endings to live up to the rest of the composition. As it is, "Boy in a Box" is a fine album, filled with hummable, catchy, enjoyable songs that engage the listener in all the various ways rock music can. Goudie asserts at one point on the record that misery loves company (but always sleeps alone). If this is what misery sounds like, well, hell, I'd love to come and hang out.
4 1/2 stars out of 5
-Jack Frink, The Austin Student April 28, 2005 - the austin student
JOHNNY GOUDIE, Boy in a Box (F+M): Back on his own after a spell in Endochine, Goudie returns to the glossy, atmospheric rock of his Elektra days. By turns delicate, sarcastic, and infectious, Box displays Goudie's melodic talents in full bloom.
-christopher gray - the austin chronicle
Discography
Goudie, peep show (2000) -vocals, guitar, keyboards, co-producer
Goudie, ...effects of madness (2002) -vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums, piano, casio, omnichord, co-producer, engineer
Eliza Gilkyson, lost and found (2002) -backing vocals
Spencer Gibb, Four-Track mind (2002) -drums, backing vocals, tambourine
Jeff Klein, everybody loves a winner (2003) -Fender Rhodes, backing vocals
Canvas, four days awake (2003) -organ
God Drives a Galaxy, Pale blue dot (2003 -co-producer
Daniel Kang, I wish you could see (2003) - producer, engineer, drums, guitar
Colin Gilmore, The Day the World stopped...(2004) -backing vocals
Pale, Here (2004) - keyboards
Saturdays Radar, Kill All the D.J.s (2005) producer, keyboards, backing vocals
Canvas, Painting the Roses (2005) producer, keyboards, omnichord, piano, Rhodes, backing vocals, atmospheric guitar
Johnny Goudie, Boy in a Box (2005) -vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, producer, engineer
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Johnny Goudie
From rock and roll front man and band leader to guitar/keyboard playing sideman, for which he won best keyboard player in the 2004 Austin chronicle music awards for his work with indie rock band Endochine, to studio musician playing on such albums as Eliza Gilkysons Lost and Found and Jeff Kleins Everybody Loves a Winner, to songwriters songwriter, writing with the likes of Jane Wiedlin & Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Gos and the ever-celebrated Patty Griffin to name a few, Johnny Goudie has earned and maintained the title musicians musician.
As former front man/leader of the band Goudie, he gained national attention when the band was signed to Lars Ulrichs Elektra records subsidiary, The Music Company, after the band was together a mere 9 months. The band released one album on the vanity label, the critically acclaimed, Peep Show (2000). The album was produced by Goudie, Mike McCarthy (spoon, and You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead) and Dan Maccarrol (The Grays, Aimee Mann) and mixed by Jack Joseph Puig (No Doubt, John Mayer, Remy Zero). The band spent over a year on tour of America in support of the album. Lost in the shuffle after the AOL merger and dissatisfied with his 100% creative freedom deal Johnny decided to take his band and leave the multinational conglomerate label and join forces with some friends in a cooperative independent label out of Austin called India Records. After a celebrated second album, effects of madness (2002) and another year on the road, Johnny decided to disband the group that bore his name.
After his time in Goudie, Johnny returned to his biggest passion, sitting in his home studio writing and recording songs, something hes done since he was 16 years old. During his time in the studio Johnny continued to perform as a sideman in several different bands including: God Drives a Galaxy, Lowery 66, and finally joining Endochine after the release of their critically acclaimed album Day Two. It was while he was on tour with Endochine, and as he was going through the break-up of his marriage, that Johnny wrote and recorded the songs for Boy in a Box. The record showcases Johnnys masterful songwriting abilities, his unique and beautiful voice and his versatility as a musician. Goudie plays all of the instruments on almost every song. It is Johnny's best and most personal album to date.
The 12 songs on Boy in a Box reflect Johnny's coming of age. From the instant rock and roll classic that opens the album, "Sex Machine", to the New York Dolls swagger and attitude of "Back of a Magazine, in which Goudie warns of the perils of rock stardom theyve got some pictures with all your clothes off/ and all the cocaine, it ate your nose off. The ode to loss and self-deprecation "Old Enough" where he confesses of everyone that you evaded, youre the only one you hated. "Leave it Alone", with its sad trumpets playing over a funeral drum waltz as he sings baby, you just dont treat me right/lately when everything is going good for you. The deceptively sensitive shoe gazer anthem, "Stay" where he flippantly yet sweetly explains, I never got to fuck her, but I kissed her on the cheek. It is safe to say that listening to this album makes you feel like youre reading a fascinating novel accompanied by a warm sing a long soundtrack.
As strong as Johnnys writing and recording abilities are, those are only part of the package. He is also one of the most captivating and compelling front men around. His presence on stage is larger than life. You cant take your eyes off of him. was how he was described in Billboard magazine. With a voice that can go from falsetto whisper to blood-curdling scream in two notes and he can go from Robin Zander-like stoicism to Who-like thrashing of his guitar in a matter of seconds. At his solo shows, his sense of humor and love for story telling shine as much as his gorgeous voice and tell-all lyrics. Keeping the audience captivated and silently waiting for the next outrageous thing to come out of his mouth either in song or candid conversation. Johnny Goudie is the consummate performer.
Boy in a box will hit the streets on May 17th, as the first release on the new label, F+M Records. Look for Johnny on tour solo and with his band until the end of time starting in may 2005.
Johnny goudie - fact sheet:
As former leader of goudie:
· Released two critically acclaimed albums. Peep Show (Elektra) in 2000.
Produced by: Goudie, Mike Mcarthy and Dan Macarroll.
Mixed by: Jack Joseph Puig, and ...Effects of Madness (India) in 2001.
Produced by: Mark Addison and Goudie.
· Albums featured special guests: Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin, David Garza
· Albums featured songs co-written with: Jane Wiedlin (Go-Gos),
Kevin Hunter (Wire Train), Jeff Klein and Kacy Crowley
· Songs featured on MTV's Road Rules (2002), and many national and radio samplers
including: ASCAP's The ASCAP EAR vol. 3,
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