Veneer [LP]

by Jose Gonzalez

Overview

Don't let the name fool you; singer/songwriter Jose Gonzalez is a Swedish-born and -raised son of Argentine parents. His debut album, Veneer, is a striking collection of hushed and autumnal indie pop bedroom songs that reside on the hi-fi end of the lo-fi spectrum. Gonzalez is definitely a member of the "quiet is the new loud" school as founded by Elliott Smith and the Kings of Convenience. Veneer is about as intimate as they come; it sounds like he is sitting right on the end of your bed singing just for you. At times, Gonzalez is a little more forceful than most of his schoolmates, often working himself into a tightly spinning ball of emotion (as on the driving "Lovestain" and the bluesy "Hints"). At these moments his voice is reminiscent of Mark Kozelek, only without the wild flights of pretension. Mostly though, he is content to cruise along on mellow vocals double-tracked behind gently plucked and strummed acoustic guitars. The beautiful "Heartbeats," "Deadweight on Velveteen," and the gently rollicking "Stay in the Shade" are the high watermarks of a remarkably focused and promising debut. Gonzalez is a welcome addition to the q-school of indie pop. ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	10/22/2012
Label:	Caroline / Mute / Mute Us
UPC:	0724596932414
Rank:	51409

Tracks

1. Slow Moves
2. Remain
3. Lovestain
4. Heartbeats
5. Crosses
6. Deadweight on Velveteen
7. All You Deliver
8. Stay in the Shade
9. Hints
10. Save Your Day
11. Broken Arrows

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jose Gonzalez   Primary Artist,Percussion,Vocals,Guitar
Stefan Sporsen   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Elias Araya   Artwork,Cover Art
Peter Alan Waterman   Composer
Mikko Hellsing   Mastering,Mixing
Jose Gonzalez   Producer,Composer,Engineer
Bernard Sumner   Composer
The Knife   Composer
Mike Stock   Composer
Matt Aitken   Composer
Peter Hook   Composer
Ian Curtis   Composer
Stephen Morris   Composer