Jason Falkner
Can You Still Feel?
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Jason Falkner
Can You Still Feel?
Elektra, 1999
RiYL: Jellyfish, The Grays, Jonny Polonsky, Eric Matthews |
Borne to music at an early age, Falkner was an accomplished pianist, drummer and guitarist by the time he joined Southern California art-popsters Jellyfish (on guitar) in 1990 to create their brilliant debut, Bellybutton. Falkner spent an effective apprenticeship in the talented band, working in a volatile partnership with multi-instrumentalists Andy Sturmer and Roger Manning. But when it came time to record the band's second record, Falkner's songwriting efforts were spurned by the duo.
He promptly left and eventually formed the Grays, a self-described "anti-group," in which all players exchanged instruments and attempted to survive as an oligarchy. The project also failed after one album, Falkner and Jon Brion each bringing fully-formed demo songs to rehearsals with all the instruments already recorded by themselves. The band dissolved under the pressure of its own ideals, so Falkner struck out on his own.
Can You Still Feel? is his second such solo effort, and it expounds on the personal freedom he enjoyed on 1997's Author Unknown. Falkner creates energetic, highly melodic tunes that don't smack too heavily of his influences. His penchant for writing tunes on different instruments has gone a long way in individualizing his sound: Though some bands are tighter in the physical sense, Falkner's emotion and direction guide all of his albums' components.
This works best on "Revelation," the album's well-orchestrated second track. Following a short intro and the rocking first track, "Revelation" settles down the mood and welcomes the delighted listener aboard. Starting slowly, Falkner describes the scene out his window: "Trees stand still and wait for another breeze...I see beauty that goes beyond you and me."
He is mourning a lost love, but waking up to the fact that the world is still alive and beautiful. After wonderfully harmonized choruses grace the introspective mood, he climbs into an uplifting middle-eight that expresses his resolution of rejuvenation: "So put on a show, let everyone know you're alive - so alive." And the song gently fades to a close, tying things together nicely.
Other standouts include "The Plan," with its irresistible hook propelled by Falkner's steady drumming, rocking opener "Author Unknown" and "All God's Creatures," basically a dressed up Zeppelin riff that somehow works with its perfectly-out-of-place sound.
The songs on Can You Still Feel? are more densely textured than those on his first record, owing somewhat to the suggestions of Nigel Godrich, who Falkner invited to serve as a collaborator behind the boards. Godrich's presence is felt the most in some of the secondary accompaniment, like reverbed keyboard blips and the use of a drum machine alongside Falkner's recorded drums.
One cannot help but wonder if having others like Godrich around to advise Falkner and double-check him on some of his decisions would really propel the artist toward his prime. Still, he seems so comfortable in his situation and has become pleasantly prolific because of it, not having to struggle with intra-band relationships.
Can You Still Feel? is a remarkable accomplishment for one person. It doesn't stand out as far from the landscape as, say, OK Computer, but Falkner is a very talented artist, and here's hoping he continues making records this good for a long time.
TROY CARPENTER | Troy Carpenter founded NATN from a Chicago apartment during the ambitious winter of 1998 with co-conspirators Ben French and Jonathan Cohen. After a five-year stint in New York, he and wife Lourdes have recently relocated to Indianapolis, where he spends days listening to music and nights in the kitchen at Elements restaurant. Musical heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Super Furry Animals. What else makes life worth living: Sushi, Phucty, runs in the park, and the Atlanta Braves.