Praise For Wallflower.com | Indie Music Blog

I'm glad I discovered this band when I did (right before the next installment of the PFW Podcast). Jonquil is (what they consider themselves to be) an experimental/pop group from Oxford, UK. When you listen to their music, however, you will soon realize that it is so much more. Sure, their music is absolutely modern in the fact that it is experimental and a bit eclectic - but their song writing is also deeply routed in traditional, eastern European folk (a la Beirut). What started out as more of a "studio-produced" band in the beginning, Jonquil has shifted gears in the release of their 2007 record "Lions," and more recently in their new EP entitled "Whistle Low." What I mean by that is that at first, their sound was strictly imprinted on their albums - something that they were unable to entirely reproduce during live performances. Their newer material, however, is far from it. They now accurately capture the charm and energy of their records through the use of their front-man's accordion, fluid vocals, upbeat folksy drum and bass rhythms, and a myriad of other eclectic variations such as hand claps (and even a melodica). All in all, Jonquil is a very unique group in the sense that they manage to blend both traditional and modernistic approaches into their art.

Below are two tracks from the group. The first is off of their 2007 release "Lions," which has more of an Irish-bar song vibe to it (minus any reference to women or alcohol). The second is from their brand new EP, Whistle Low, and exhibits a lot more of the characteristics discussed above.

"Lions:"



"Whistle Low:"


THE SKINNY: Jonquil is a unique British folk/pop/experimental group that manages to blend both traditional and modernistic elements into their music
FAVORITE TRACK: "Lions" off of "Lions" (2007)
APPROPRIATE FOR: Anyone in the mood for a folk group that doesn't suck
FOR FANS OF: Beirut, Peter Bjorn and John