Jorges

"Beautiful songs and sounds inside of an uncompromising desire to rock hard in the pop idiom. Crafted around solid melodies and classic harmonic pop beauty, given availability and ability for folks to hear this material, Jorges could make an impact in the power pop world." - Not Lame Recordings

A lesser man might try to ride out pop for pop's sake, but Jorge Gonzalez Graupera -- a.k.a. Jorges -- elevates the genre with a firm grasp on arrangement and technique. Jumping onto the local scene via master popsters The Brand and then touring with Latin rock darlings Volumen Cero, he has become fully immersed in the nuances of rock and roll balladry, and about a year ago quietly began the conceptualization of his solo effort, Possibly Now! The album oscillates between Beatles pop and the Replacements' postpunk snarl, with Jorges providing all instrumentation except drums. The endeavor leaves a satisfying aftertaste. And if his music sounds familiar, it's because his songs have appeared on television shows on the WB. - Miami New Times

Pop music is a tough gig. On the one hand, bands that tread such waters do so knowing that there's going to be some sort of criticism leveled at them regardless how ‘catchy' these songs are. Secondly, pop songs generally fit in each and every teenage movie, therefore removing them from any serious consideration. However, there is some justification available to pop singers in that no one can deny that they're having a good time. Sure, there's lyrics about being sad and getting dumped (don't I know it!), but in general, there's a general sense of joy that gushes from such albums.
Take for instance, Jorge's “Possibly Now”, a tempo-frenzy collection of happier-than-hell tracks that stick in one's brain like old Pennywise songs from 1995.

As the chorus of the Underwear explodes into ‘I want to wear woman's underwear', the listener is automatically reminded that all philosophy books and/or theories should be left at the door. Take your Freudian rants and fuck off. ‘Just Like You' is all teenage angst wound up in a ball of mid 90s Weezer-inspired beats. ‘Stars are Exploding' is easily the stand out track, perhaps because it's the one that most strays from the conventional pop format. Slow to build, with a steady drum beat, it rolls out with the orchestral gusto that's made Coldplay a household name.

No one can fault Jorges for this album. He dips his musical pen into a genre filled with imitators and succeeds in toeing the line exactly as one should. He rarely strays from the conventional lines of a genre which has grown up on fizzy pop and ketchup chips and for some good listening in the middle of July, Possibly Now is perfect.

Darren Susin, CD Reviews
- Darren Susin, CD Reviews

In candid conversation, Jorges (Jorge Gonzalez) reveals the following: his first listen to The Replacement’s “Gimmie Noise” was a life-altering moment. This, mixed with his personal fascination with rock and roll mythology, has led on a long and varied career hunting for the definitive pop sound. Jorges’ mission is to elevate pop music back to its Beatles-quality rank and out of the shit-stench it has sadly slipped into.

Learning and quietly fabricating, the seeds of Possibly Now! were planted almost two years ago. Time and patience often yields the best rewards, and it is evident here: from the opening surreal teen-angst rocker of “Underwear” to closing with the caramelized sucralose clap-along of “Meant to Be.” On record he performs all vocals, guitars, bass, and effects with the assistance of Latin rock darlings Volumen Cero's Fernando Sanchez on drums. The tempos fit any taste and the explorations take us into Ennio Morricone territory with “Much Too Soon,” while effects are kept to a minimum, peppering when necessary throughout. Oh yeah, and some tracks have been featured on a few WB shows.

The title track is an excellent post-punk, frenzied number of heartfelt desperation that momentarily betrays the starry-eyed happiness of the album; but it’s a welcome change of pace since it’s nestled before the long track, “Stars are Exploding,” which is a brooding, slow instrumental that cleans the palette before the closer. And a very satisfying taste it is when a disc closes and no filler tarnishes it. Jorges: mission accomplished!

Abel Folgar, Transform - Transform

2006 Annual Best Of issue from Miami New Times:

Cuban-born Jorge Gonzalez Graupera, a.k.a. Jorges, might just be the hardest-working musician in Miami. After his band the Brand, which was founded in 2002 (and was Jorges's first live music venture), broke up in 2004, solo artistry became a necessity, so Jorges picked up his acoustic guitar and began playing on his own, quickly realizing he didn't need anything but himself. "I'm all about simplicity. When you just hear the voice and guitar, you're hearing songs in their purist form." Jorges, age 32, is constantly performing his interesting pop/rock love songs live, usually at PS 14, Churchill's, and I/O. He also recorded an excellent album, Possibly Now!, completely on his own, at home on the computer, which you can (and should) buy at his shows. Jorges's diligence has paid off: His song "Girlfriend," which female audience members mouth during his perfomances, has been played on the hit television shows Summerland and One Tree Hill as well as on various MTV programs. He also tours as much as possible. "When I'm on tour, all I want is to make enough for a $40 room and something to eat. Sometimes it doesn't happen, so I'll sit somewhere with my guitar, put my hat out in front, and make up the difference." - Miami New Times