Single Review: Max Jury – Great American Novel
Although still very young, 22-year old American Max Jury already has two acclaimed EPs released (‘Something In The Air’ and ‘All I Want: The Sonic Factory Sessions’), was named a New Favourite Band of Steve Lamacq’s and just finished up a support slot with Rufus Wainwright and under his belt. In mid-August, the young singer/songwriter from Des Moines, Iowa, on the keys gives The Piano Man Billy Joel a run for his money in ‘Great American Novel’.
Instrumentally, the song is structured well: the orchestral string backing adds polish, depth and emotion to the track while not detracting from its two main focal points: Jury’s spellbinding voice and his smoky piano-playing, and deservedly so. There is no pretension whatsoever in Jury’s vocal delivery, and it feels entirely effortless. The warmth of his voice is evident as he describes his woman’s voice as having its own story, as it/she “leaves me wanting more / lingers in my mind”.
You’re drawn into this story, although you’re given few details but a sad yearning, and you’re left wondering what happened between the two of them, as he’s stood waiting for a train leaving New York bound for Boston, the song continuing as Jury gives us more clues to their painful separation. He hears a song in his head, “loud enough to wake the dead / it’s a song for you and me / it’s a song for you and me”, suggesting that whatever terrible thing befell them, it’s something that is weighing heavily on him, not quick to be forgotten.
One thing’s for sure: you won’t soon forget this song and its beauty.
9/10
Max Jury’s single ‘Great American Novel’ is out now digitally through Marathon Artists. Jury performs at Latitude Festival this Friday, the 17th of July.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCOE1NyRoLM[/youtube]
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