Jano - The Life Of Riley

Published Saturday 4th October 2008
Jano - The Life Of Riley
Jano - The Life Of Riley

STYLE: Pop
RATING 5 5 5 5 5
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 49071-14567
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Ewan Jones

The 10 tracks on offer here have a '60s rock and roll vibe; think Herman's Hermits or The Tremeloes - if I was being generous I would even say the Beatles. The songs are tuneful and catchy but lack any grit and daring that is sorely needed to toughen up the sound. The production is very clean - there's none of that rawness that makes many enduring '60's records vibrant and exciting 40 years on. British act Jano has a versatile voice, part rocker, part crooner - think Jon Bon Jovi-lite mixed with a touch of the rat pack, while his lyrics are a real strong point. What we really have here is a worship album disguised as a mod-rock retro CD. The quality of the recording is consistently high, but ultimately, with nothing original to offer any twist on the retro sound.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Brian Jewkes in DUDLEY @ 17:43 on Dec 12 2009

I dont want to be rude here, but does Ewan come from Wales or another planet. I havent heard the whole of this cd yet, but its already 11 out 10 for me. Boy how we crave for this good stuff. Unashamedly Christian, and unembarrassingly excellent. The de ja vu of Malc and Aly,. The undertones of Lennon and an exquisite band. If i wasnt still jiving around in my kitchen, Id think i died and went to Heaven. As expressed by Larry and presented here, the devil doesnt have all the good music. The shape of things to come , i hope.



Posted by Mike Davenport in san diego @ 03:56 on Jan 27 2009

I've just googled Jano and ended up on this site. And I must say that we've had the pleasure of seeing him play live over here in the states and I immediately went and bought the life of Riley cd. What a blessing this is! This is music at its best. Great songs and a great voice with hooks all over it. He sounds very much like his father Alwyn Wall of Malcolm and Alwyn. So cool! Even Larry Norman sang about these guys. I've not heard anything as good or as honest as this for a long time. Ewan since when did music played in its purest form become "disguised"? I'm with the other guys on this one 10/10. this is a great cd, and also very refreshing.



Posted by Paul Poulton in UK @ 21:48 on Oct 4 2008

I've been playing this album for a while. It's easily 9 squares. It's in a class of its own. Search out the evocative meaning of The Life Of Riley, who is Riley? Listen to the pain, ordinary people are going through everyday. Work it out! Jano is a spokesperson for the alienated. Lot's a people have Riley's. The songs capture the raw emotion. The playing is first class, modern, human and finely crafted. John Lennon is there, this is the kind of music John may be playing now if his life hadn't have been so tragically cut short. The melodies stay with me, the thoughts are poetic and well expressed.



Posted by robert atkins in home @ 17:25 on Oct 4 2008

personally l would 10/10 for this cd, l love it!
the reference to Jon Bonjovi is baffling, vocally if anything, more like the lead singer in the Stereophonics!
Of cause "one mans meat is another mans poision" in regard to personal music taste, for me this is meat and and quite tasty at that!
Lets have more of the same!



Posted by Claire in London @ 11:40 on Aug 2 2008

fantastic Album! Well worth a listen. Lets have some tour dates jano



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