- By Scott S -
Jon Brion has many titles. Songwriter, Super Producer, Film Composer, Remixer, Freakishly Talented Multi Instrumentalist, and Performer would only be a few. Every now and then you get a talent so multi faceted in every area of its field that its almost scary. What Kobe Bryant is to basketball, What Dali was to art, What Apple is to the tech industry, Jon Brion is to the music world. Many people might have never heard of Brion, but they’ve most likely heard Brion. Jon Brion seems to have his hand in everything. Whether it’s producing for artists like Elliott Smith (From A Basement On a Hill) Fiona Apple, Spoon, The Eels, Aimee Mann, Sean Lennon, Rufus Wainwright, Kanye West, and more; or composing scores to movies such as Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind, Magnolia, and the devastatingly inimitable score to I Heart Huckabees, Jon Brion is top notch.
In 2001 Jon Brion put out his only solo release to date Meaningless. Brion signed to Atlantic but they dropped him when they heard his completed project, refusing to release the record. Nevertheless, Brion relased the album through his own quickly set up label. Meaningless is 44 minutes and 29 seconds of tasteful pop rock bliss. The guy is scarily talented in his craft. Tracks like “Hook Line and Sinker”, “Ruin My Day”, and “Her Ghost” evoke talent that some might call on par with McCartney during the Abbey Roadsessions. His Beatleesque laments translate beautifully to a modern sound. It also doesnt hurt that he had Jim Keltner (the man that god would ask to play drums on his solo record) hitting the cans on Meaningless. Tracks like “Trouble” and “I Believe She’s Lying” help show off Brion’s eclectic taste and craftsmanship. Most importantly Meaningless is a small but beautiful introduction to the work of Jon Brion.
Almost all of his soundtracks contain Brion songs that could have been on Meaningless. “Strings That Tie To You” from Eternal Sunshine is stunning, “Get What It’s About” from I Heart Huckabees is beautiful, and “Here We Go” from Punch Drunk Love is the type of song even the greats strive to write. On top of all this, those that live in Los Angeles can see Brion perform usually twice a month at the Largo on Fairfax. Brion’s show costs twenty dollars to get in, has no set list, and constantly changing guest musicians. If you get a chance go check him out. His ability will blow your mind. Plus its a great date if you’re trying to look ultra hip. Bottom line: LISTEN TO JON BRION, you will not be disappointed. Meaningless can be purchased at his website or here.
Sample the songs below on Hype Machine
Jon Brion - Ruin My Day / I Believe She’s Lying
