Reviews of "...And Then Some" will be posted here as they come in:
"This is one of the best albums I have ever had the honour to be let loose on". - Robert Kirby
“...an eloquent, expressive set that exudes both confidence and an enthusiasm that’s downright infectious. Jackson’s drive and desire race at full throttle. And yet, in those moments of sublime repose, where the strings swell and the emotions soar, he demonstrates an intrinsic taste, craft and intelligence that affirm his natural pop pedigree. “It's only January, but it's not too early to declare ... And Then Some one of the most significant discoveries of the year.” 9/10 - Lee Zimmerman, Blurt
Canada’s next biggest and brightest star has generated an album that feeds off of Beatles-esque poppiness, unpredictable and catchy key changes, and a big, sentimental sound that drives an exceptional, distinctive style. …And Then Some flirts with country, thrives on pop-rock, brims with emotion, moves with a purpose, and evokes a genteel respect from the pickiest critics. Jackson’s assortment of influences blends itself into an entirely unrecognizable object, fully intact and seamless. …And Then Some is a peaceful collision of indefinable worlds, adventurous and new, relying on the tradition of well-crafted, catchy music as its only recognizable foundation.” ****/5 - Mark Sherbin, Pensatos
“ Jackson är en driven låtskrivare med fingertoppskänsla och koll på musikhistoria. Det här är helt enkelt klassisk, tidlös pop framförd med ivrig entusiasm och är klart smittande.” - Niclas Gustafsson, musiklandet.se
“I truly enjoyed the simple fact that I couldn’t predict where the progressions and the melodies were headed based on an intro, and Jackson’s writing displays ample savvy and cunning - the kind that come only with maturity. The pillowy-soft orchestral arrangements? Good songs are made even better. George Martin would definitely approve.” - Simon Harrison, Wainwright Edge
“Ten tracks of expressive elegant pop, both well-rounded and equal in melodic density. There are plenty of highlights on ...And Then Some, though the unrepentant glory and letting go of "Goodbye London," surely reigns supreme.” - Parasites & Sycophants
“Luke Jackson could become this generation’s rock/pop superstar, and his album …And Then Some (Popsicle) has him sounding like a cross between The Clash, Weezer, and Ben Folds with his energy, passionate vocals, and jingle-jangle spirit that makes this a very moving power-pop album.” - John Book, ThisIsBooksMusic.com
"Wer auf knackigen Pop-Rock und atmosphärische, melancholische Kleinode steht, der wird hier bestens bedient." - Markus Kerren, rocktimes.de
“Sounding something like Teenage Fanclub if they were lost in Scandinavia and developed a taste for string sections ...And Then Some is power pop paradise that's as lush as it is poppy. With lush, delicate arrangements, the tender moments on ...And Then Some become even more poignant and emotional..."A Little Voice," is a perfect example of this as Luke Jackson gently plucks his guitar to a harmonizing string arrangement that makes the song so hauntingly fragile that it sounds as if the song might just break. Songs like these are intimate heartfelt breathers that show Luke Jackson to be in touch with his soul; they truly are stunning songs.” - Paul Zimmerman, First Coast News
"Från de här förtsättningarna får vi helt enkelt en snygg, nittiotalsinspirerad britpopplatta med snygga arrangemang" - Petter Seander, Red Hot Rock Magazine
“Imagine a collection of lost Kinks songs recorded in Sweden by a Canadian artist with a full orchestra guided along with a British film soundtrack sensibility, and you are only a third of the way in capturing the essence of ‘..And Then Some. These songs are timeless...each play is a delightful surprise.” - Martin Smit, Next Big Thing
“...And Then Some” combines the very best elements that great pop music albums offer: lyrics that not only resonate with listeners but also leave them caught up in hook-laden choruses, brightly chiming production values that buff everything up to an (almost) perfect sheen and, most importantly, the ability to either bring a smile to your face as the faster numbers unfold or snare your emotions with finely-wrought medium-tempo balladry. One of the best of 2008. Performance: A /Production: A – Rod Nicholson, Scene Magazine
“Instantly catchy choruses and plenty of dreamy harmonies. This is a expressive album that wears it's heart on it's sleeve. Fans of Bleu, Jeff Lynne, Canadian or Swedish power pop will flip for Luke Jackson. Just an excellent album that touches the spectrum of emotions. 8/10 -Aaron Kupferberg, powerpopaholic.com
“A Little Voice is the kind of affecting rumination that would resonate widely (instead of just deeply) if only some enterprising song wrangler were to place it over the closing scene to a Grey's Anatomy episode.” - John Sakamoto, Toronto Star
"Come Tomorrow" might be one of the songs of the year: an insanely catchy chorus, great melody and just overall pop perfection...Don't let this one slip by you.” - Steve Ferra, Absolute Powerpop
“Jackson’s clear voice and reflective lyrics emphasize the amount of talent he possesses, and the strings add a distinct depth and flare to every track. Hopefully fans won’t have to wait another six years until he records again.” - Kim Hutchison, Ponoka News
“Ik moet denken aan Jason Falkner, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe en zelfs aan Alan Parsons. Jackson trapt echter nergens in de valkuil door al te duidelijk te laten horen waar hij de mosterd vandaan haalt. And Then Some is dan ook een aangename plaat.” - Ewie, File Under
“This album features soaring, glistening pop recorded entirely on analog equipment which may explain the nice warm sound...Luke Jackson's music is both commercially accessible and artistically credible. Cool pop cuts include "Come Tomorrow," "Trouble," and "Half a World Away". (Rating: 5/5) - babysue®
“Jackson knows his way around a musical hook and there are enough of them built into the 10 tracks here that even the most cynical musical sad sack will smile when hearing them for the first time. Goodbye London would be a perfect fit for a film soundtrack with its sassy bounce and happy vibe. Even the ballads are buoyant. B+ - Jeff Monk, Uptown
“Jackson proves he can take the whole pop spectrum and make it his own. This is really a solid piece of pop rock from a performer who's come to terms with life and his music. The genre-bending style and string arrangements add something of the Beatles to the mix, and there's no doubt Jackson channeled some Abbey Road or Revolver for this album.” - Thierry Black, hour.ca
This Life (string session)
“…And Then Some features a healthy dose of great pop songs that sound like instant classics. They’re big, bold productions that have a presence beyond just the sheen on a glossy production.” - quickbeforeitmelts.com
If you’re going to make a power pop record then it is best to sound like the pop has been shaken and is fizzing, fit to burst out and shouting with happiness. So begins this record. "Come Tomorrow" is a musical 1,000 watt smile. ... Jackson offers much more than power pop. The nearest I can think of is the musical wanderlust of Peter Bruntnell and Jackson isn’t shamed by the comparison; he’s got talent… and then some. - David Cowling, americana-uk.com
“I’d likely hear Come Tomorrow as part of a montage in some sort of movie that might star someone like Owen and/or Luke Wilson. One of those quirky type movies where the characters are going thru something that changes their lives. That’s a great use for a song like this. A positive type of message with a driving force on it.” -Jody Whitesides, singleoftheday.com
“Jackson writes solid lyrics, and delivers them smoothly against a backdrop of the lush string work. The combination is amazing at times, in particular on the cut The Fear. This CD is compelling as it draws from rather distinct musical backgrounds, adds the richness of strings, and the solid writing of Jackson.” 8/10 - From the Desk Of Calvin Daniels
“The opening cut, "Come Tomorrow" is a nearly perfect, unabashed pop song with killer melodies and a near-perfect chorus.” - Tim Hinely, Dagger Zine
“Jackson’s guitar playing is masterful and distinctly him. This is pop-rock that is seamless in its creation but at the same time sophisticated and passionate. It just feels good.” - Rob Moore, The Village Idiot Magazine
“…And Then Some” will have your head swirling with pure pop rock goodness...“Come Tomorrow” is a perfect example of the type of music you’ll find on this excellent release. With an instantly catchy chorus and plenty of oohs and aahs backing things up, this track hits all the right buttons.” - Bill’s Music Forum
“The majority of these ten songs are breezy and infectious, sprinkled liberally with seriously juicy hooks. Opener "Come Tomorrow" makes for a solid midtempo pop single, though I'm particularly impressed by tremendously catchy "Longest Day" and feel-good anthem "Goodbye London." - Matt Shimmer, indieville
“The sweet guitar fills, the cascading harmonies, Jackson’s happy as heck vocals -- it’s all here, a complete pop package.” - Mike Bennett, Hablo Ennui
“All the comparisons that could easily be made with the likes of Neil Young, George Martin and Brian Wilson become obliterated by the sheer songwriting strength of Jackson’s musical personality by the end of the album. He has effortlessly created his own sophisticated pop-rock sound that breathes a musical passion, allowing him to stand outside the shadows of his predecessors. …And Then Some is everything you could ask for: passionate and uncomplicated feel-good music, and then some.” 8.8/10 - Alexander Jasperse, The Muse’s Muse
Theoretically, you can buy the album in any bricks and mortar record store in North America, but in reality, if you like to support your local record store (and I love you if you do), you'll probably have to order it. Just tell the store that the album is distributed by Darla (in the States) or F.A.B. (if you're in Canada).
If you want to order the CD online, there are many options:
Our own Popsicle Webshop has the CD and LP versions of the album as well as the Come Tomorrow 45/DVD/hidden download package. Not Lame is a long-time friend and favourite vendor of superlative pop music, as is KoolKatMusik and Jam Records. You can also buy the CD at the ubiquitous CD Baby, and if you're in Japan, Apple Crumble Records and Fastcut Records both carry the CD and the Come Tomorrow 45/DVD.
If you like to click and download, every major seller of zeroes and ones carries the album, including itunes, amazon, emusic and rhapsody, and to get a little closer to the music, you can download the booklet as a PDF file here.
Come Tomorrow video
In the Spring of 2006, a seven-year email correspondence culminated in the meeting of Luke Jackson and Magnus Börjeson. Luke had long been a devoted fan of two of the Swedish musician’s former bands: Beagle and Favorita, and the two songwriters finally met in Paris where Magnus was mid-tour playing in The Cardigans. By the end of the weekend they were like old friends and Luke had accepted an invitation to Sweden for the upcoming Midsummer long weekend holiday. These celebrations were taking place in the countryside outside Malmö at Aerosol Grey Machine, the stunning all-analogue recording studio of Christoffer Lundquist, producer and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, former member of Roxette and founding member of Brainpool, another of Luke’s favourite bands.
The Midsummer weekend was a magical time filled with wonderful people, beautiful weather, great music, fantastic food and free-flowing booze of the highest quality. As Luke boarded his flight back to London in a Schnapps-induced fog, he considered the invitation to “come back and record any time”. It had been six years since the release of his self-produced second album “Momentum”, and Luke knew that the songs currently springing from his right hemisphere were the best he’d ever written.
"WHY NOT make an album with my favourite musicians on the planet?” he mused.
And so Luke returned to Sweden in January 2008 and set to work in the studio with Magnus on bass and Christoffer’s Brainpool bandmate Jens Jansson on drums. The four musicians worked quickly and spontaneously to capture half a dozen songs, including “Come Tomorrow” which Luke had begun writing the day before leaving for Sweden. Luke returned to London buzzing with excitement. Not one to manifest small, he sent the rough mixes of the songs to renowned London-based string arranger Robert Kirby (Nick Drake, Elvis Costello, John Cale etc). To Luke’s delight and surprise, Kirby loved the songs and offered to write orchestrations for the album and accompany Luke to Sweden to conduct the necessary recording sessions with nine players from Malmö’s Opera Orchestra.
Luke had managed to bring together two of his most beloved musical worlds: the pop sensibilities of his friends in Sweden, and the distinctive eloquence of Robert Kirby’s string arrangements. It is the collision of these two worlds which makes “...And Then Some” so compelling. Densely layered guitars and vocal harmonies fuse with sweeping string lines, none of which ever draw the ear too far from what lies at the heart of Luke’s music...gorgeous, expressive, unpretentious songs born of the trials and tribulations of a life lived to the fullest.
There is also a 45rpm 7” featuring Come Tomorrow b/w A Little Voice which comes with a hidden download and a DVD featuring the video for Come Tomorrow and studio footage of the sessions for A Little Voice.
hey luke, actually i wasn't at that brunch. it was in albuquerque, NM. probably was smoked salmon. i don't think they make the Naughty Jew at that establishment.
I hope the world is treating you well and your music is thriving. I'm still enjoying ...AND THEN SOME. "Come Tomorrow", "Goodbye London", "A Little Voice" and "Half A World Away" are my favorites. Great stuff.
Also I wanted to let you know that I did find Helena's album - wow! Really creative, with great singing and, once again, excellent work @ AGM.
Hi Luke, what a neat and nice sounding production man! I wish you the best of luck with your music. Anyway, I'm really glad to have you as a MySpace friend. If you have the time, remember to check out the "HFMC raw and fresh, taken from rehearsal" video and blogs. Have a wonderful week ahead and take care. Hasse (HFMC, The Flower Kings)
