In the News

CD Review
February 26, 2004

Joliet musician refreshing to rock-n-roll
By Joseph Sanders

Music scenes are born. Who would have thought the lumberjack backwoods of Aberdeen or Olympia, Wash., could have been the springboard for the Seattle music explosion in the early '90s?

Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Sound Garden were born out of this West Coast region, and all three bands were responsible for saving rock-n-roll from it's big-haired coffin.

Who's to say then that a place like Joliet can't breed the next scene? And who is to say Philadelphia-born singer/songwriter John Condron, now from Joliet, couldn't be just such an artist to spearhead the movement?

His music certainly is that good.

I had the chance to see Condron perform at Lewis University in November.

Going solo for the evening, Condron sang a track from his first solo CD, "My Own Device," titled "Brain Trust."

As he sang, Condron slid his feet back and forth, raising his eyes while fluttering his eyelids to the sky.

"Welcome to the brain trust. Check your soul outside."

It was very angelic, fun to watch and full of life. I can only imagine his full shows with his band, John Condron and the Benefit, are amazing.

While I listened to his CD, I found myself smiling during the upbeat "My Own Devise," where he layers old jazz style scats across blossoming guitar riffs.

I also enjoyed the loud abrasive guitar in "Something So Fragile" and overall found influences of earl Dave Matthews, Jeff Buckley and even a little John Mayer.

The CD is emotion riddled and a definite must-hear for those who like music that is true; music that is more than just noise.

Who knows? Maybe Condron can save rock-n-roll.