The debut record from Starflyer-guy Jason Martin and wife Julie opens inauspiciously enough with the fuzzy, indirect pop of "Honeymoon," a bubblegum number about going out on a Saturday night. It neither captures the attention nor refuses it, but chugs along dutifully through its three minutes, ending in a swell of keyboards provided by producer and Adam Again frontman Gene Eugene. Then the real fireworks start. The Martins (joined by a rhythm section credited only as Travis and Matt) officially begin their pop double fantasy with "Kiss My Lips," a sensuous, slithery number that teases (Julie's breathy "Come on, baby, kiss my lips") before erupting into the wall of guitar Jason Martin is known for. From that second on, Bon Voyage spins a confectionary web of pure pop bliss that is relentlessly infectious and hummable. Though admittedly lighter in content than Martin's work with Starflyer 59, Bon Voyage contains many of the ingredients that make Starflyer successful, honed to fit the decidedly poppy parameters. "You Got It, I Want It" is propelled by thick, sludgy chords and "I Just Wanna (Be With You)" treads the same sparkle-ballad territory as some of Starflyer's moodier work. What is most evident is the unwavering dedication to melody. "Together" glides dreamily along, Julie's wispy promise of "We'll always be together" floating like mist over Eugene's Beatle-esque keyboard and Jason's plaintive acoustic strum. "No Paradise" could be an outtake from Twin Peaks torch singer Julee Cruse, with its morose theme ("sometimes this life's no paradise") and sporadic surges of keyboard. Even within the self-imposed structures of melodic pop, Jason Martin flirts with brilliance. "You're Wonderful," whose melancholy slide guitar recalls Daniel Amos' "Divine Instant," is a 21st Century surf ballad that builds to a satisfying rush of guitar and drums. Julie's voice is perfectly suited to the music, one moment managing a coy playfulness, the next sounding almost matronly ("lift up your head, it's alright"). Eugene's keyboard adds entire dimensions to the compositions, and the rhythm section (which periodically alternates with a vintage drum machine) provides a solid undergirding. As principal songwriter, it is on the shoulders of Jason Martin that the burden rests. The song structures on Bon Voyage demonstrate a depth and grasp of melody only hinted at before, and indicate the presence of a band with a strong future. Should Julie's promise of "We'll always be together" prove true, it will be to the great benefit of the listener.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #72Reviewed by Brian Vincent McGovernFor anyone who likes Starflyer 59's more upbeat songs, imagine putting a sugary sweet female voice in it, and you'll have a fairly good idea of the sound here. Never one to follow trends, Jason Martin, along with wife Julie, have put together one of the nicer female fronted pop records yet this year - without sounding like most other so-called girlie-pop bands, but not as dark and atmospheric as…