Jonny Polonsky

Hi My Name Is Jonny (American ’96) Rating: A-
When this album came out in 1996 I remember it getting good reviews in cool (but defunct) music magazines like CD Review and Huh Magazine, not to mention bigger brands like Rolling Stone and SPIN. I always meant to check it out but never did, so when my friend and colleague Guy Peters recently gave it a glowing review, I was that much more intrigued. Apparently Jonny has had some problems getting his career untracked since this album, and when I emailed Jonny (after Guy and he had exchanged pleasantries) about my site he sent me a copy of this album, his follow up EP, and some unreleased newer stuff (more on them later). This guy is a case study of what's wrong in the music industry: he doesn't have the name, the look, or the marketing savvy for "success", but dammit this guy is talented enough where he should never have to go looking for a record deal. Self-recorded (and Jonny plays all the instruments himself) with the confidence of a seasoned pro, Hi My Name Is Jonny peaks immediately with "Love Lovely Love," a stone cold shoulda been classic. Starting with chugging riffs, the song showcases Jonny's appealingly rough yet vulnerable vocals, and ringing riffs alongside a supremely catchy chorus that's been stuck in my head for days. None of the other songs rise quite so high, but there are plenty of other high points, such as the glammy kiss off "Truly Ugly and Dead Too," the catchy acoustic/electric rocker "In My Mind," and "Gone Away," which delivers piano pop that's perfect for the pub. Songs such as "Half Mind" and "Uh-Oh" have new wave characteristics, while "Evil Scurvy Love" and "It's Good To Sleep" sound like first take demos, yet all of these songs (most dealing with loneliness and heartbreak) have something to recommend about them. Granted, some songs are rather slight and the album clocks in at a skimpy 24:15, but this was an extremely enjoyable debut album.

There Is Something Wrong With You (Eggbert ’01) Rating: B+
Putting together an actual band, Jonny Polonsky returned 5 long years later with this six song EP on a small independent label. And though again there's no song here on a par with "Love Lovely Love," and the songs on the whole aren't quite as infectious as those on Hi My Name Is Jonny, by and large Jonny Polansky returned with his knack intact. "Freezed" is the catchiest song here, and it's a darn good one, while "Long Gone" is arguably the most creative. Beginning with bright organ and a breakneck pace, the song soon slows down but then kicks into a propulsive, singable chorus. The title track is less impressive but contains intriguing lyrics, while "Gone Too Far" settles into another singable chorus (and another winning song). At first I didn't care much for the hard rocking "Roll On," but the song (like all of his songs) finally grew on me even though I still think it's below his usual standards, primarily due to its unimaginative chorus. "You Are My Star," a touching ballad (dare I call it a "power ballad"? Has Jonny been listening to '80s pop metal?), is much better, further whetting my appetitie for more tuneful material from this underappreciated songsmith. Note: My first impression of Jonny's not yet released new songs is that they seem moodier and murkier than his previous output, and his vocals in particular are mixed further in the background as instrumental shadings come to the forefront. I'd still classify it as "power pop," though.

send me an email

Back To Artist Index Home Page