My Amazon Reviews: Jupiter One "Sunshowers"

"Lighter than air in the Sun Shower"
4 out of 5 Stars

This is my first encounter with Jupiter One, and this is the sophomore effort. You'll be excused if you find yourself thinking you're listening to The Shins as that band exercised a Beatles/Beach Boys fetish, but that is what "Sunshowers" sounds like. It's lighter than air and rich with harmonies, and often catchy. If every band could write a song as cool as "Anna," the world would be better place. The quality stay consistent throughout, tickling the usual angsty subjects (young love, urgency, desire -Tears for Fears came to my mind at various points during this CD).

There's a dreamy essence to a lot of the music here, and at times the new wave gives way to some folkiness. This is especially true on the closing "People In The Mountain," where the glistening strings bring the album to a satisfying close. The five members of "Jupiter One" seems to be bringing in different personality traits and making sure that "Sunshower" doesn't get too homogeneous. The funk of "Simple Stories" comes from one voice, the playing with fire metaphors of "Flaming Arrow" another. The orchestral pop of "High Plains Drifter" teases the psychedelic world beautifully. While not bombastic or hyper-dynamic, "Sunshower" is a breezy delight. To me, it's no surprise that they'd be touring with Regina Spektor, whose Far shares many of this album's best qualities.