Jupiter and Teardrop

Jupiter and Teardrop don't reveal whether or not they are named after the song by Grant Lee Buffalo, but there are plenty of similarities in the Americana pop/rock sounds of main man Geoff Martyn's song writing. Sometimes songs just feel like they've always been written, and are played with such a natural air that it would be hard to conceive they ever had to be learnt. This is exactly what Jupiter and Teardrop achieve on this sparse and delicate release. Four songs that just feel so right you have to enjoy them. "Bring Me Down" with its sweet beat chorus is about as up-tempo as the band get and tracks like "Moonshine" creep around in the shadows of a low-key smokey venue, nursing your blues. The acoustic "Something Good" is a genius exercise in heart on sleeve melodies and minimalism - simply wonderful. - www.joyzine.co.uk

‘Bring Me Down’ is a track which Jupiter and Teardrop (the relatively new name for good old Glaswegian singer-songwriter Geoff Martyn and his band) have had in their treasure trove of music for a while. On hearing this EP version I was blown away. The lyrics are clear, the pounding piano chords are brought to the fore, and it generally sums up a snarling, difficult to reach mood – that one where you’ve done nothing wrong, but someone is making you pay in pain and upset nonetheless. “Not content to stay any longer seeing I know the cards in your hand…I won’t let you bring me down any more…” – it’s a mantra for pissed off people the world over, encased in a fabulous song which could really see the band moving mainstream.

The rest of the EP is strong, with ‘Moonshine’ following up the title track. It’s chirpier, a kind of road song aimed at the country-esque American market which the band are trying to crack. There is a tinge of the Travis about it, but it’s a great little lets-run-around-with-flowers-in-our-hair track. ‘My Lonely Heart’ is complacent but light. “I wish I had things I could do to stop the tide in my life from sweeping me to you” - someone’s clearly aiming at the unrequited love department - but where I would normally have no sympathy I find myself melting anyway in the general acoustic loveliness. I can see the headlines now. Geoff Martyn made me a sap.

The EP closes with ‘Something Good’, a gentle acoustic track, continuing the theme, showcasing Martyn’s gorgeous vocals. There’s something distinctly Jeff Buckley about this song, it’s great, and a perfect wind-down to the EP. Basically, Martyn is great alone. He has a smooth, clear voice with a great range, and is musically clued up on everything he does. But with a band behind him like his three counterparts, they create great tracks like ‘Bring Me Down’, and it’s this versatility that will see Jupiter and Teardrop being the next big thing from Glasgow’s scene. - Losing Today

Jupiter and Teardrop ‘Bring me Down’ (Buchanan). About now we begin to wonder what exactly their feeding these bands on up in dear old Glasgow these days because this is another mighty fine release to feature in these pages from that territory. An all-together different affair from Unkle Bob but by no means labouring in the shadows. Again like the previous ensemble another release that’s been funded by the (obviously music loving) Scottish Arts Council, currently to be found, we assume, wowing the assembled crows at the legendary SXSW festival in Texas, ‘Bring me down’ is the debut release for the inspiring and aspiring Jupiter and Teardrop. Fronted by a certain Geoff Martyn who in his own right already has a full length release (‘Something Good’) tucked firmly under his belt, Jupiter and Teardrop play a slow to burn cocktail of idling on the porch casually jangling country pop that’s misguided by the choice of lead cut with its jauntily cantering piano dominated Ben Folds 5 feel glazed by the soft shimmer of chimed riffs, instead their style is pretty share an affinity with fellow countryman Shoeshine / Spit ‘n’ Polish’s more pop fixated back catalogue in particular Ben Vaughn especially on the drifting sun going down idealism of the heart warming ‘Moonshine’ with its subtle honky tonk aspect. For me it’s on the trembling perfection of the curvaceous ‘My lonely heart’ where the true worth of the band blossoms into fruition, its like uncovering some rarified 70’s MOR gem its tingling timidity beautifully unravels the defences in a way that Southport’s much overlooked Panda Gang where thought only equipped to do with such arresting dexterity. ‘Something Good’ brings things to close in a dozing way to combine a sense of touching classicism brought on by with the optimistic flurry of tumbling acoustics and a breath catching breeziness. Recommended. - Losing Today