Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs - From Sumi To Japan [Album]

Triple Crown

December 1, 2009, 06:41 PM

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by madchester1989 [More from this Author]

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Among some members of the musical community, the name Brian Bonz rings a few bells. To others, Brian Bonz sounds like name of an individual who could be one of The Fonz’s distant cousins. However, significantly more people do know one name associated with Mr Bonz: Kevin Devine. With his political lyrics, folk rock chirps and overall hipster look, Kevin Devine and Brian Bonz have not only been on the same circuit for years, but they have also shared some of this time on stage together, as Brian Bonz plays keys, melodica and percussion in Kev Devine’s band, The Goddamn Band. Not only that but Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs are also signed up to the same label as Kevin Devine; Favourite Gentlemen, which also happens to be home to Atlanta’s rising stars Manchester Orchestra.

"From Sumi To Japan" is not the first time Bonz has ventured out on his own, escaping the overshadowing glare of Kevin Devine’s success. In 2005 he released a five-song EP entitled “Susan The Boy Scout” and since the The Dot Hongs inclusion, they have already played at the Nassau Coliseum in New York, for Brand New’s massive homecoming show, alongside the likes of Thrice, Glassjaw, Manchester Orchestra and Bonz’s old friend Kevin Devine. At the moment, Bonz and the band are touring across America with John Nolan of Straylight Run and Person L and according to Brian Bonz’s blog they have been "smoking real popcorn," "running from hotel security" and "partying at a members only club for Halloween." Quite possibly, its sounds as if all the parties involved on the tour are having the time of their lives and none of this would be possible without material, with which to present to the audience. This is where “From Sumi To Japan” comes in.

The debut album from Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs, “From Sumi To Japan” is partly an ambient / indie affair. With its breezy guitars, light drum tones and Brian’s soft, melodic voice crooning all over the record, it would appear Bonz has taken some inspiration from his old master. However, this is not a rip off of Kevin Devine, but his stamp is definitely lurking underneath “From Sumi To Japan.” 'The Tug At The Criminal Declaration' has Kevin Devine written all over it, with prominence of the acoustic guitar and the gentle muscular tones from Brian Bonz’s voice, 'The Tug At The Criminal Declaration' wouldn’t sound out of place on any Kevin Devine release that's for sure.

“From Sumi To Japan” however, is not just a one dimensional beast. Songs such as 'Judy & the Alpha Queen' host a more electronic / indie feel with its up tempo guitars and synth beats combining to make 'Judy & the Alpha Queen' one of the more fast paced tracks on “From Sumi To Japan.” 'Kid Shit,' one of the strongest songs on the record, has a strong pop element whilst 'Dee The Dinosaur' hosts the same kid of poppy feel as 'Kid Shit,' but with the inclusion of piano bursts, mixing with the acoustic and electronic guitars, before ending in a wall of instruments, crashing together. 'Christa McCauliffe's Cacaophony (Reprise)' has elements from all over the musical globe. From Latino style beats, to a flute chirping in the background, the song is a muddle of different musical influences and the guitar solo, drum bashing end, comes as no surprise given the variety of elements in the song. Piano solos are the most prominent, in the albums final track 'Goodnight, Captain Revelstoke' and this marks a beautiful ending to a beautifully made album.

“From Sumi To Japan” is an album that will surprise a few people. Given that it has been categorised as an acoustic album, “From Sumi To Japan” is clearly not an album you can pigeonhole in to one genre of music. From electronic synths to classical piano chimes, electric and acoustic guitars to Latino band bursts, “From Sumi To Japan” is a record that has been not just made, but crafted by its creators. Beautiful and complex, there is not much fault with “From Sumi To Japan” and Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs will certainly be proud of what they have achieved.

Originally wonderful and strangely mystical, “From Sumi To Japan” will not appeal to the masses, but for the people who can see its beauty, Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs debut album will surely be a welcome inclusion to your record collection.