Goo Goo Dolls – they are not a band I listen to that often, I admit to owning 2 of their albums and am an absolute sucker for Iris. This may seem like an odd way too kick start this review, especially when the band I am reviewing is not Goo Goo Dolls. But after hearing this EP for the first time this is just what springs to mind…that and endless weird hypothesis about whether you could have holidays in the sky…without a plane, there would have to be hotels on clouds, where, obviously you could stay (like the care bears). That would be really quite cool (I did say they were weird!)
As for Jacanda and their EP, it is a delicate and warm group of 4 songs. Ambling and gentle guitars are complimented by Chris Pritchett and James Phillips' caramel tones.
Ghost of a Smile is a bit like Ronseal, it does exactly what it says on the tin after listening to it I find a ghost of a smile on my face. ‘Outside to in’ and ‘Treading Water’ are more of the same harmonious tones. Final song ‘Wheels’ is slower and reveals more introspective characteristic of Prichett’s songwriting capabilities.
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It is refreshing to hear a range of extra instruments thrown in for good measure, the keyboard, cello, mandolin and organ provides additional strings to the bands melodic bow (lame pun quite unintentional). Finally the saxophone in Ghost of a Smile and Treading Water add another edge, giving extra depth to songs which could ultimately be viewed as bordering on dull.
Going back to Goo Goo Dolls (I seem slightly obsessed but they do sound very similar) Jacanda are inoffensive, nice and clean cut; not hugely memorable.
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