Jonny Dongel Reviews

Not wishing to insult Jonny, if “Jonny Dongel” is indeed his real name, but I can’t help but put him along side the likes of Jilted John and Buster Bloodvessel as names that conjure up fond memories. In Jonny’s case it’s the fact that his music takes me back to my last days of junior school, 1978, when Jilted John’s self titled single was riding high in the UK charts. This whole album, is full of pent up anger, aggression, love, hate and the kitchen sink. Think punk, new wave, powerpop and you’ll be pretty close to the album that is “A Fifth of Nowhere”

Nearly every song on this album, has that boozed up, chanting, singalong factor. The last tracks that I can remember sharing this same quality were Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Wonderwall”. “Snocker Snog and Shag” alludes to many a favourite past time and really sets up the album very nicely. The title track “A Fifth of Nowhere” gives more of the same. “The Cause” with it’s high octane guitar and drums, takes a slightly different turn. With it’s slightly harder edge, it’s more rock than punk, but it still has that hallmark sound.

“Sorry Simon” is the track that’s garnered much interest, especially with podcasts and rightly so. This track kind of reminds me of a Sex Pistols track, with two fingers firmly raised at Simon Cowell, the acerbic and often downright cruel judge on both the US and Britain’s Idol talent show. It’s one of those tracks, like “Jilted John” that could very well take the charts by storm if given the chance.

Of the 11 tracks here, 4 really stand out, “Sorry Simon” being one of them. “Radio Caroline” is another, written about the pirate radio station, anchored off the UK coast during the 60’s. The others are “Mighty Irish” and the track that closes the album “Here for the Music”. The other tracks are all in the same spirit and while they’re all highly enjoyable, I can’t help but worry that this is an album that’s going to have a limited appeal, as if you tire with one song, you’ll probably tire of them all.

Conclusion : A real blast of an album, that’s fun and greatly captures the spirit of summer. While I do have concerns that as most of the songs are all pretty much in the same mould, you may tire of it more quickly than other albums. However I can well see this album being dusted off from time to time and reliving it all over again, with an air guitar and attitude, but most importantly a smile.

I had the pleasure of receiving Jonny Dongel’s album “A Fifth Of Nowhere” in the mail recently, and for fans of British pub/punk rock, this album shouldn’t disappoint.

To be honest, I couldn’t help but smile when I played this album. From the very first track (Snocker Snog & Shag,) I was rockin’ out in my room. The chorus is repetitive, but memorable - and not so monotonous that you want to switch to the next song.

The title track keeps with the theme of the album and offers rad guitar riffs that really set the mood. What’s more, Dolly Dongel’s backing vocals add a certain element to the song that makes you want to keep listening.

After listening through the entire album, my favorite song would have to be “Sorry Simon,” the fourth track on the album. Not only was it the first song that gave me a taste of what Jonny Dongel was all about, it has an awesome guitar opening. Plus, with lyrics like “I won’t fall for your ploy, for your sick and twisted joy, I know I’m not your idol, Sorry Simon,” it’s a catchy song that forces you to sing along.

“Mighty Irish” couples traditional British punk influences with Celtic punk sounds (think The Clash coupled with Flogging Molly.) It’s a decent song, and arguably the most unique on the album.

The rest of the album plays nicely, but the remaining tracks all sound very similar to one another. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing - Jonny Dongel knows what works and offers a solid album punk fans can (and should) quickly add to their list of favorite CD’s.

Every so often I'll be introduced to a band or singer/songwriter that inspires me to punch the air, sing-a-long and proclaim to every passer by the genius of that particular artist. Since the creation of Myspace I've found many such groups/artists that have grabbed my attention but perhaps none more so than the Jonny Dongel, a brilliant British singer-songwriter who's currently residing in New York, writing and recording his debut album, that's to be released on Gravelsauce Music in the not too distant future. 

Jonny Dongel's myspace page features a couple of attitude fuelled punky anthems full of spiky guitars, infectious vocals and the kind of drums that make you want to jump around like a loon. You can download the lairy Snocker, Snog & Shag single from his profile page and I have to say it's the perfect soundtrack to a boozy night out, it's rowdy, it's raw and it's great fuckin' fun.