Review: Underneath an Empty Sky
- idlehanz
- 21 minutes ago
- 3 min read
New album from MikulJoanz
Michael Jones AKA MikulJoanz
Michael Jones is one of the more prolific writers and unique voices on the Knoxville music scene. His latest effort, Underneath an Empty Sky brings his characteristic style of lyrical expression that is a mix of homage to a Beatles type sound married with more modern elements.
Round and Round brings that Beatle-esque vibe that lives up to his low-fi studio moniker, with slight distortion but straight forward harmonies and percussion, seemingly something that might have been a lost track from the White Album. The title track adds a subtle organ to the mix in lieu of the lead guitar. Like New actually turns the clock back – you can almost imagine that this is the B side to “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. The hook builds and builds with the catchy rhythm infecting your middle ear. You can almost hear the kids on “American Bandstand” saying, “I like it. It has a good beat and you can dance to it.”
Meet You There showcases Michael’s lyrical songwriting strength where he does such a great job of painting a scene with words. The vibe on this track has a more modern feel and this characteristically reminds the listener of something more akin to Crowded House. This is a great track – but it left me wanting more – some songs don’t need bridges, but I can’t help but think this one would have been well-served with one.
Let Fly opens with more of a bare bones vocal and guitar feel – but then builds the dynamics into a powerful chorus with layered vocals, then recedes back to the next verse. This track makes great use of dynamics to keep the listeners’ attention.
I Know also really showcases Michael lyrical ability as this song opens with a series of images that you can easily see in your minds eye. Then the hook hits you over and over “I know, I know, I know…” to great effect. The use of cello here is a very tasty touch as is the chord progression that builds under the hook. This makes for a really beautiful track.
Walden dials back the mood with a heavy dose of melancholy. With lyrics that paint a picture a picture of loneliness, but then declares, “free, I’m free”. Which makes for an interesting juxtaposition.
How Lucky brings a more upbeat view and the chorus is really tasty with his clever use of listing things that you can keep, such as, the mona lisa the stars above, the seven wonders – it makes for a very memorable hook. We are also treated to a rare lead guitar appearance on this track that provides a nice instrumental break.
Just Because takes a nice change of pace from the preceding tracks with a driving acoustic guitar pattern, and again, you can’t say enough good things about the lyrics here that build into the chorus – is this a potential indictment of the listener? Ooo… nice call back and reference to the “empty sky” that echo’s the title track.
Devine Detour sounds like Michael was channeling his internal John Lennon both in the vocal characteristics, lyrics, and guitar tone – this is a more of a early rock inspired song that would be right in place on the radio in 1969. Vietnam War rock anyone?
The rock turn continues with Rolling Along, but with a more optimistic turn, well, maybe more pragmatism as the lyrics reflect how, hey, in life things aren’t going to go well, but you need to keep… well, rolling along. Preferably with the sun out and the windows down.
The album concludes with Soon as its Over, the music fades, the vocals drift into the distance, another great effort from our favorite, MikulJoanz.