JOHNNY GOUDIE: Boy in a Box

Johnny Goudie

Boy in a Box

© 2005 JohnnyGoudie/F+M Records (825749017023)

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The 12 songs on Boy in a Box include everything from the instant rock and roll classic that opens the album, "Sex Machine," to the New York Dolls swagger and attitude of "Back of a Magazine," in which Johnny warns of the perils of rock stardom: "They've

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Johnny Goudie

From rock and roll front man and band leader to guitar/keyboard playing sideman (for which he won "best keyboard player" in the 2004 Austin chronicle music awards for his work with indie rock band Endochine), to studio musician playing on such albums as Eliza Gilkyson's Lost and Found and Jeff Klein's Everybody Loves a Winner, to songwriter's songwriter, writing with the likes of Jane Wiedlin & Charlotte Caffey of the Go-Go's and the ever-celebrated Patty Griffin to name a few, Johnny Goudie has earned and maintained the title musician's musician.

As former front man/leader of the band Goudie, he gained national attention when the band was signed to Lars Ulrich's Elektra records subsidiary, The Music Company (after the band had been together a mere 9 months). The band released one album on The Music Company label, the critically acclaimed, Peep Show (2000). The album was produced by Goudie, Mike McCarthy (spoon, ... and You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead) and Dan Maccarrol (The Grays, Aimee Mann) and mixed by Jack Joseph Puig (No Doubt, John Mayer, Remy Zero). The band spent over a year on tour of America in support of the album. Lost in the shuffle after the AOL merger and dissatisfied with his "100% creative freedom" deal, Johnny decided to take his band and leave the multinational conglomerate label and join forces with some friends in a cooperative independent label out of Austin called India Records. After a celebrated second album, Effects of Madness (2002) and another year on the road, Johnny decided to disband the group that bore his name.

After his time in Goudie, Johnny returned to his biggest passion, sitting in his home studio writing and recording songs, something he's done since he was 16 years old. During his time in the studio Johnny continued to perform as a sideman in several different bands, including God Drives a Galaxy and Lowery 66, before joining Endochine after the release of their critically acclaimed album Day Two. It was while he was on tour with Endochine, and as he was going through the break-up of his marriage, that Johnny wrote and recorded the songs for Boy in a Box. The record showcases Johnny's masterful songwriting abilities, his unique and beautiful voice and his versatility as a musician. Goudie plays all of the instruments on almost every song. It is Johnny's best and most personal album to date.

The 12 songs on Boy in a Box reflect Johnny's coming of age, from the instant rock and roll classic that opens the album, "Sex Machine," to the New York Dolls swagger and attitude of "Back of a Magazine," in which Johnny warns of the perils of rock stardom: "They've got some pictures with all your clothes off, and all the cocaine, it ate your nose off." In the ode to loss and self-deprecation, "Old Enough," Johnny confesses, "of everyone that you evaded, you're the only one you hated." Then there are "Leave it Alone," with its sad trumpets playing over a funeral drum waltz as he sings, "Baby, you just don't treat me right lately, when everything is going good for you," and the deceptively sensitive shoe gazer anthem, "Stay," where he flippantly yet sweetly explains, "I never got to fuck her, but I kissed her on the cheek." It is safe to say that listening to this album makes you feel like you're reading a fascinating novel accompanied by a warm sing-along soundtrack.

As strong as Johnny's writing and recording abilities are, those are only part of the package. He is also one of the most captivating and compelling front men around. His presence on stage is larger than life. "You can't take your eyes off of him," was how he was described in Billboard magazine. With a voice that can go from falsetto whisper to blood-curdling scream in two notes, he can go from Robin Zander-like stoicism to Who-like thrashing of his guitar in a matter of seconds. At his solo shows, his sense of humor and love for story telling shine as much as his gorgeous voice and "tell-all" lyrics, keeping the audience captivated and waiting for the next outrageous thing to come out of his mouth. Whether in song or candid conversation, Johnny Goudie is the consummate performer.

Boy in a box hit the streets on May 17th, as the first release on the new label, F+M Records. Look for Johnny on tour solo and with his band until the end of time starting in May 2005.

F+M Records
6012 Tasajillo Trail
Austin, Texas 78739
Telephone: 512.301.2105
Fax: 512.301.5401
Email: bobby@fandmrecords.com

reviews

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  • nice and refreshing
    author: thierry

    sounds very nice and refreshing, even in belgium (europe). i found this website by accident and i'm glad i did. hope they sell a lot!

  • author: Austin Chronicle

    JOHNNY GOUDIE, Boy in a Box (F+M): Back on his own after a spell in Endochine, Goudie returns to the glossy, atmospheric rock of his Elektra days. By turns delicate, sarcastic, and infectious, Box displays Goudie's melodic talents in full bloom.

  • Johnny is one of the most brilliant song writers of his time. Listening to his m
    author: Nikki

    Johnny is one of the most brilliant song writers of his time. Listening to his music is like a great bed time story, not only do you groove to the music, but you find your self listening and thinking, "what's gonna happen next" His style is unique in it's own rite, and his vocals are enchanting....

  • "Boy in a Box" fuses the better trends of music across the last 40 years of its
    author: Lynda/ sugar buzz magazine

    By: Lynda Sugarbuzz Correspondent; Atlanta, GA Dearest Johnny, Isn't it great that as I sit here preparing to review your disk that my cell phone should ring with the "20th Century Boy" ringtone I downloaded? Yeah. I thought you would like that little bit of info. So, when you asked me to review your CD forever ago (sorry that I'm lazy and have been preoccupied), I knew it was going to be a piece of cake. I mean, it's easy to "sell" something when there is as much talent behind it as you are inescapably capable. I mean, your Goudie stuff was sexy and brilliant in that experimental + glam kind of way. Your touring work with Endochine (good thing Casey's kept at it) added flavour and atmosphere (and that's how we met...with additional help from our lovely Ms. Crystal! :)). And, of course, I've loved your solo album "iloveelke" that you sent me. However, I have to say that, to date, "Boy in a Box" is my most favourite material you've done! What I love most about this album is the essence of that classic glam sound dashed with your signature experimentation and mixed with your amazing singer/songwriter abilities (and, obviously, your flawless production skills). It literally sends shivers down my spine at times, and gives me the chills at others when I'm listening to this disk. "Boy in a Box" fuses the better trends of music across the last 40 years of its history. I love the lust that "Sex Machine" drips with, and the "oo oo oo"s make me silly with giddiness. I'm 210% convinced that if "Hold Me Up Tonight" had been written just a few years earlier, they would have been breaking down your door to have it added to the "Velvet Goldmine" soundtrack. Damn! Could "Back of a Magazine" be any sexier? That one kind of sends me back to your Goudie stuff. I love the singsong instrumentation of "I Am Falling", even if the lyrics are sorrowful. It's a beautiful song, though. "Stay" is also beautiful. I love your voice on "Everyone Remembers (When You're Cool)", and the simplicity of the music creates a haunting clarity that I can't explain. "Open Invitation" is quite catchy. "Hello Good Morning" is a pretty folk song...in your reinvented sense of the word. Was "Keep it in Bottles" as painful to write as it seems? I mean, it's an amazing song, but sometimes I worry about you... "Standard Issue Pistol" is a near masterpiece! I LOVE that song! I mean, the catchy acoustic guitar and hand claps?!! "Leave it Alone" is kind of creepy in the beginning. It's kind of disconcerting, especially when the pleasant part of the song breaks in. But then again, actually listening to the lyrics and the periodic return of the harrowing music produce an "out of my mind, back in 5 minutes" atmosphere. I really like that. "Old Enough" is a soothing end to a powerful album. Smile: you're one of those guys that those of us who have no talent love to admire and those who do have talent love to be jealous of! Try and come back to Atlanta some time soon, ok?! I would love to hear this stuff live. And I PROMISE that if a bunch of us wind up going somewhere together, you and I won't have to ride in the trunk again...not that I minded so much. ;) "Rock on...rock on...yeah yeah yeah" smooches ~L*

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