DANIEL JONES & THE SMALL TOWN LOVERS
COUNTY CORK
Balloon” by cork artist Daniel Jones is the follow-up to last year’s “Faces, Girls, Monsters”, an e.p described as a ‘compelling debut’ by Stephen Errity in Hot Press. “Faces, Girls, Monsters” also received Jackie Hayden's prestigious “Pick of the Fortnight" accolade in the same magazine and garnered nationwide airplay. Jones has taken his time with the follow-up, living in Nashville for a period working on his song-craft. The result is a titanic three song suite that attacks with melody and invention.
Whiskeytown guitars, married with Stone Roses drums, support a yearning vocal on classic opener “Pull Me Out Of The Rain”. There is controlled feedback underpinning the song as Jones warns of “Danger in the future, and in the past”.....
“Lovers” begins with a pretty acoustic guitar motif before exploding into a chorus that Brett Anderson wishes he had written. This song displays in spades the bourgeoning confidence flowing through the maturing songwriter.
“Fires (&Desires)” is a bewitching ballad to wrap up affairs. R.E.M at their most magisterial would have burned Peter Buck’s Rickenbacher to stumble upon such a perfect circle of grace and beauty. The charming backing vocals of Melissa Power compliment Jones in a gorgeous ‘daughter of Emmylou’ way.
With “Balloon”, Daniel Jones has announced his arrival in glittering style as a songwriter of unquestionable quality. Guerrilla warfare is declared on pop sensibilities with these three songs that take no prisoners. Daniel’s debut album “Forever, In Disguise” will appear in the Summer months. For now, “Balloon” is a marvellous taster – a thrilling step on a glorious journey.
