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JJ72
Barfly Camden, London UK
January 20, 2000
(from music.com)
JJ72 are a three-piece guitar band from Dublin. Young, talented and, we may assume, ambitious. Some slim, blond teenager fronts this combo. He sings well, at times touchingly. His voice has an edge, his presence confidence. They are amazingly solid and well rehearsed. The British music industry are after them; soon many more will join the cavalcade. Six hundred people turn up at one of London's smallest venues, naturally only so many get in; and, here they come.
In a musical sense, they seem to feed off tradition well; their sound, vaguely reminiscent of small dosages of Undertones/Radiohead, and even a tinier Jeff Buckley, if you like. This is guitar music that shamelessly borrows from that mongrel of rock and punk that has characterised indie music for the last twenty years. Nothing new. Nothing mediocre either; all this, mainly attributable to the very individuality of Lead Singer Mark Greaney; and, if at times it is only evident that this is a musical format that tires more with every try, it is the prospect of what the future may hold for them that seems so alluring to many right now.
It is inevitable to see through the natural flaws of a young entrepreneur at work. There could be far more ingredients added to their equation to send their music flying off a few levels higher, harmonies and melodies could be applied as enhancers for tunes that already do show innate maturity and capability on their behalf. In all fairness though, it is only a matter of time before that happens. The sacred fruit shall ripen with the swift passing of time. In any case, they carry out their tasks appropriately. Latest single "Snow" stands out. The show maintains a momentum throughout. Acoustic renditions of "Improv"/"Broken Down" take place as the most fragile moments tonight, with Greaney alone , under the spotlight. Good luck to them.
Angel Ojeda