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// PRESS FOR THINGS DONE AND LEFT UNDONE //

" Highly literate lyrics and shimmering, moody pop come together beautifully on Jonathan Inc.’s latest release. In addition to bass, drums and electric guitars, the recording features violin, viola, cello, keyboards, vibraphone and lots of vocal harmonies. The instruments form complex layers, but the songs manage to remain open and spacious.

Rather than laying out a story in chronological order, Jonathan Inc. uses repeated lines and melodic hooks to set the scenes. In “One Year” a disillusioned dream chaser finally connects with reality. “Just one more week to make my claim / then I’ll come home,” sings the narrator, making one excuse after another until realization hits: “One year / how did I end up here?” The intricacies of this album demand multiple listens and promise that you’ll hear something new each time. " performing songwriter (jan 2005)

"Jon Anderson is a master of mood and atmosphere, and it seems he's found the musical compatriots he needed to bring his vision to fruition. This is an album full of beautiful sounds, soaring melodies, and tasteful, melodic guitars and hopefully Things Done and Left Undone is only the herald of better things to come" mote magazine

"well-crafted songs unfold with quiet restraint, buoyed by shimmering guitars, layered strings, and Anderson’s limited but effective vocals, ragged and soulful in all the right places." paste magazine.com

"the third release by this Vancouver-based four-piece hearkens back to the articulate introspection of (Jackson) Browne's salad days, when his relentless self-examination seemed to illuminate the interior life of his audience. " eye magazine, toronto

"a glittering collection of downbeat indie-pop jewels. " the georgia straight

"every iota of their work is completely empathetic and moving. They project so sincerely, and in such genuine tones, that their potency far surpasses their volume. " lost at sea

"It's an elegant and atmopheric album of melancholy, rainy day pop, packed with emotion and beauty, and one that easily sucks you in.” opus zine

"This album is a solid step forward for the band and it leaves room for growth, which is a great plus as they continue to reach beyond Canada's snow covered plains. For now (and I trust forever), Jonathan Inc. gives you those musical moments that say, "Yes, you're sad, this hurts, but it's going to be okay." Honesty and emotions... the best things a band can offer." tiny mix tapes

"melancholic melodies, each acoustic guitar note strummed with the heavy hand caused by the dislocation and isolation of heartbreak, giving way to lyrics sung as tenderly as the words of a dying man" now, toronto

"gentle, ambient pop... the melodies surrounding Anderson's lyrics are softly atmospheric and spacey sounding with layered guitars and keyboards" chart

"Everything on this album just fits. Soothing waves of heartfelt lyrics wash up on the beach and tickle your teos. Melodies and harmonies float in from the darkness, guilded by moonbeams of pop sensibility. Pushing and pulling styles ever so slightly, this record presents a disctinctive voice that should be heard across oceans. In the age of sad introspective songs by boys too soft for rock and roll, Jonathan Inc. stands out from the crowd." broken pencil issue 25 (kieran dick)

"There's this certain temptation I run into from time to time, and that's to focus on music that only seems "groundbreaking" or "revolutionary", that seems to be pushing envelopes and breaking boundaries. Or focus on music that's as leftfield as possible and most definitely not - God forbid - pop music (as if a CD's worth is directly proportional to its accessibility, or lack thereof). It's not as bad as it once was - several years ago I would've avoided "pop" music like the plague - but it still rears it's ugly head from time to time.

Which brings me to Jonathan Inc.'s fifth release, Things Done And Left Undone. To be quite frank, there's nothing particularly new or innovative about the album in the slightest. Jonathan Inc. plays the sort of lush, atmospheric, and emotive indie-pop that could sit comfortably on the shelf, right next to Ester Drang, Death Cab For Cutie, or Damien Rice. It's nothing you haven't heard before, and yet Jonathan Inc' infuses their music with such warmth and detail that it sounds new and fresh all over again.

The reasons for this are several-fold. First, there are the vocals of frontman Jonathan Anderson, whose voice has the same sort of unassuming appeal as David Bazan (Pedro The Lion), and is often joined by warm female vocals. While Bazan's lyrics serve as pointed examinations of religious legalism, corporate greed, and self-righteousness, Anderson's songs are of a more melancholy bent, often reading like letters and diary entries concerning old loves, childhood nostalgia, and romantic regrets. I would hesitate to call it "confessional", but there is certainly an air of introspection about it all.

Second, there are the songs themselves. The band excels at layering and arranging, be it the heartwrenching violin on "Cat Burglar", the haunting piano and lap steel that drift, ghost-like, through "There Is No Sound", the effortless Rhodes-and-violin combo on "Relentless", or the lush synths that seem to fill nearly every song. And while I wouldn't necessarily consider any of the songs particularly toe-tapping or punchy (there's far too much atmosphere at work for that), the album does abound in glorious melodies and hooks that prove highly memorable ("Lights Go Down", "Unbroken Silence","Bitter Seed").

In all honesty, I'm a bit surprised as to how taken I've been with this disc. I've often found myself listening to it several times in a row, and if I'm not careful, it might not leave my car's player for days at a stretch. But at the same time, I'm not at all surprised. It's an elegant and atmopheric album of melancholy, rainy day pop, packed with emotion and beauty, and one that easily sucks you in (while driving around earlier this week, the person with me was taken by the album within the second song). Sure, what Jonathan Inc. does may not be particularly "groundbreaking" - but then again, given today's shallow musical climate, if emotion and beauty aren't groundbreaking, I don't know what is. " somewhere cold webzine

"Smart, sincere, thoughtful soft pop with breezy melodies and intelligent lyrics. Begun as a solo project by Jonathan Anderson, Jonathan Inc. transformed into a band over time...incorporating Michelle Grunert, Jon Brotherton, and Glenn D'Cruze into the mix. Prior to the release of this album, the band released two prior full-length releases (Waiting For Morning, Transient) and an EP (Halfway to a Better Place). If the third time is the charm...then that certainly makes this a most charming album. Using traditional instruments, the folks in this band create classical soft pop in the traditional sense. Anderson's vocals are spectacular throughout. His delivery is smooth yet sincere...he comes across sounding personal and real. Refreshing tunes include "Reading Between the Lines of an Empty Page," "Lights Go Down," "One Year," and "Bitter Seed." Not a bad seed in the bunch. An outstanding collection. (Rating: 5+ out of a possible 6) babysue

"this record is perfect for love hangovers" exclaim (april 2004)

"is a fine indie pop record filled with wonderful harmonies" liepaper

" Things Done and Left Undone' is a very pretty record, one that takes its time to seduce the listener, to entice them in gradually with understated performances from back to front. On a bed of restrained percussion, languid basslines
and layers of, yes, shimmering guitars and keyboards, Anderson sings in a resigned, fireside-warm voice, like a chain-smoking Ron Sexsmith. Topping the radio play-list recommendations is Unbroken Silence - with its raised tempo, more urgent delivery and Michelle Grunert's doubling of Anderson's vocal it would sound right at home between Josh Rouse's Dressed Up Like Nebraska and pretty much anything by Crowded House.

On their previous mini-LP, 'Halfway to a Better Place', the band covered The Innocence Mission's Lakes of Canada with stunning results. On 'Things Done and Left Undone' Anderson and co. have penned a song which Mr and Mrs Peris would
doubtless welcome into their own set, the impassioned There Is No Sound." comes with a smile - LONDON

"heartbreakingly beautiful ... stunning pop songs" FFWD Calgary

"Things Left Done and Undone showcase the singer/guitarist's increasing affinity for soaring, intricately constructed melodies and shimmering production... Emotional but not sappy, refined but not slick, bittersweet but not saccharin, Things Done and Left Undone is an understated gem." Vancouver Courier

Vancouver's master of "blissful melancholia" really gets busy on this, his 3rd or 4th album (depending upon whether you count EP's... we do). Bringing in a heap of of instruments such as strings, vibes and keyboards, to add to his fine guitar playing and downright sad voice, Jonathan Inc. has created an album that sounds like one of those winter's days in town where you think to yourself... "this isn't so bad after all". Red Cat

"It is not just the dance music fraternity that have a gentler counterpoint to 180bpm Hard House Nights. Jonathan Inc
can lay claim to be a genuine & bona fide 'Chill Out Americana' act... Each copy of this record should come with a complementary bottle of red wine and a spliff." Americana-Uk

// PRESS FOR HALFWAY TO A BETTER PLACE EP //

“this is indie pop at its finest...As well, all the instruments are played with utter perfection, building a beautiful atmosphere that is just reinforced with Jonathan’s excellent Eels-esque vocals. You have no excuse. Go out a hunt this down.” indieville.com

“on these cold winter days when it’s dark when you leave for work and dark when you get home, this is the perfect soundtrack for an evening in. Beautiful and seductive in it’s own quiet way.” americana uk

“Like good photographers, Jonathan Inc. shine when they are patient; these layered songs need time to set, and their rolling midtempo numbers and haunting lamentations seem to coagulate best when given plenty of air. They seem to be stalking something, surrounding their subject with careful sounds and experimental touches...Halfway to a Better Place drifts along like fine mist on an autumn lake.” splendid ezine

“This five song EP finds the introspective Vancouver-based quartet sorting through the pained humanity of it all. It is apparent then that this album is taking the listener on a journey into a wilderness suffued with the harsh beauty of an Ernest Buckler novel. Indeed the songs on this album are sad, evocative, and deeply charged with emotion, particularly You Do As You Do and the incredibly naked final track, The Lakes Of Canada. One to save for those days when you just can’t get out of bed.” broken pencil

“The entirety of halfway to a better place could be considered beautiful in an achingly beautiful way. Longing and desire fuel the slow burning fires within each of these songs, and as a slow burning fire, the album gives off a warmth that lasts until the glowing ember cools.” the manitoban

“a pop gem filled with glistening guitar textures and melancholy melodies” the georgia straight

// PRESS FOR WAITING FOR MORNING //

“...jonathan inc’s waiting for morning reveals itself as a thing of understated power and mournful beauty... when it shines, it shines with bursts of brilliant, wintry light that dazzle and exhilarate. The songs work their way under your skin, and pretty soon you’ll swear they’ve always been there.” the ectophiles guide to good music

“layered and distinctly downbeat collection of finely crafted tracks, the disc is full of subtly quirly touches. The focus is definitely on the songs, but Anderson’s production passes the headphones test with Ebow drones, Casio keyboard beats, and, of course, the frontman’s luminous guitar work.” the georgia straight

“Guitar saint Jon Anderson’s third cd is blissful melancholia.” Nancy Lanthier, the Vancouver Sun

“... songs beginning with simple ideas and ending up as gorgeously arranged emotional statements.” Exclaim!

// PRESS FOR TRANSIENT //

“There’s an assuredness and maturity to the material and production that belie his relatively young age. The fleetingness of love and life is a theme captured quite vividly by the nature of the songs and their titles.” Chris Iorfida, Exclaim!

“Transient is an affecting piece of pop that deserves repeated listening” Lisa Christiansen, Vancouver Courier
“His blend of acoustic guitar, organic vocal and catchy melodies bridges the gap between roots-rock and pop.” Marilee
Breitkreutz, Vancouver Magazine

“CD OF THE WEEK. Jonathan Inc. transient (electric funnel) Jonathan Anderson is a tremendous guitarist whose versatility has made him an in-demand sideman (with Kevin House and Bocephus King to name two acts).” Tom Harrison, The Province

“... it’s easy to see how he could recruit many to the cause of his muse.” Duncan Williams, Terminal City

“Still in his early 20s, Anderson writes like a seasoned pro and delivers his carefully crafted roots-pop with a refreshing
earnestness” the georgia straight