Jon Cavier – January
Originally from Northern California, Cavier (pronounced “cav-AIR”) has been based in Phoenix, AZ for several years and up until recently was performing as Alan Clark in atmospheric pop duo EyeTalk. Over the course of ten years and five albums, this venture saw Cavier’s music reach audiences as far-flung as Italy, the UK, and Australia. After five albums and hundreds of shows played throughout the US, Jonathan Cavier has reimagined himself and has formed a new musical identity on his debut solo album Premier.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Cavier is a semi-professional tennis player and a member of the USTA and IFT. Cavier says that practicing and playing in tournaments is like “the fountain of youth.” The song “January” is the first single from Premier, Cavier’s debut solo album. The twelve songs on Premiere merge his varied pop and rock influences from the 80s and today, resulting in a fresh take on pop music. January happens to be my favorite month, so naturally I was curious about this when the opportunity to review it came through. I think Cavier is a songwriter that should be noted for his fantastic melodies. It’s amazing how I can say that after just one song, not knowing anything else about his music. But after finding out more about him there is actually a whole lot to be said. He’s paid his dues for sure, and this starts his solo career on a mellow but positive note. It’s a very easy listening kind of thing, but also has intricate patterns in the music enough to keep any mature listener interested. But that is not to say that a younger audience doesn’t await the CD. It kicks off with a good beat and stays that way to help the positive lyrics and general upbeat feel to the overall groove. This is the main hook that keeps it grounded, but Cavier himself also has a chance to take the subject matter the lighthearted direction he does so well. It’s about getting out of one situation and into another with whomever it may be. Some of the easy and some of the harder factors about carrying on. In a way it is a hope song, and a very enjoyable one at that. And whether it be your thing or not, it’s simply good pop for the masses, done by what is obviously and seasoned veteran that doesn’t show his age. It’s that fresh sound that makes it no matter how you look at it. I rate the mix as good as the track itself. There isn’t a whole lot to describe other than this is a generally ballad-like in pace, but more of an intermediate one by the end of the track. He is very eloquent in his vocal delivery without being too sappy, and that is a risk with a song like this. But a risk that also seems no challenge for the lies of what is certainly nobody new on the music scene. He does know how to sound clean and appeal to just about anyone though. For all of these qualities it wouldn’t make any sense to come out with such a well put together radio friendly song, and I will give it that and more. It’s as good as one can expect for a solo attempt after being around for ten years. That is a long time and a lot of songs. But getting back to “January,” not all roses are without a thorn or two, as it could use a minute or two longer, even if it took repeating something. This is where I tend to shave points as my own personal preference being that of the over four- minute song versus the under. And I apply that to any single as well. It might not be the norm but it’s not a static evaluation.
As these things might not be anything to the next reader, they are something to me. And not being familiar with Cavier in the first place that says a lot about the single. There is very little it can use that it doesn’t have. Here’s hoping the album stands up to it, which if it does I will be hearing more from him and EyeTalk for that matter. Scott Prinzing
Purchase Link: https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jonathancavier
Score: 8/10