Search - Jason Gonzalez :: On The Edge Of The Edge

Jan Klinte, AOR Monthly Review, Sweden

Jason Gonzalez | Gloucester, MA | 03/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rising like a phoenix out of the ashes of defeat, the artist formerly known as just Jay has returned with a vengeance on the Adult Contemporary music scene with the release of the highly anticipated "On The Edge Of The Edge". Or should I say Jason Gonzalez? Yes, just Jay has changed nearly everything about himself including his stage name. This is an understatement. Gone are the high, looping vocal gymnastics with the falsetto strain. Gone are the gang backing vocals. Gone is the piercing wailing. What's left is a vocalist who truly displays his strongest assets...a note range not seen in male pop rock singers in nearly 25 years, the pure and rich tone, the signature vibrato and control, and the ability to sing with dynamics in a word...anything. Jason Gonzalez' voice is on each track...a different and unique flavor. It is finally and unmistakably his own. He still hits the high notes on a passage or two, particularly in the rockers "Keep The Faith" and "My Own Way". But listen to him reach down equally as well on ballads such as the moving "A Shoulder To Lean On" and "When I Look Into Your Eyes", the edgy "It's Just A Feeling" or the catchy "Do You Know What It's Like?" Or the powerful push in "Walkin'" and "I'll Be There". The harmonies are lean but very tasteful. A commendable effort in production, as well awaits you as a listener. I love acoustic instruments, and Jason Gonzalez' use gives a style that is at once tough and edgy for today's angry youth's and at the same time, appealing towards adult listeners, and anyone who wants some gruff on the over produced Boy Band decadence. In short, the music community should look forward to welcoming Jason Gonzalez back into their ears."

Strutterzine Magazine

Jason Gonzalez | Gloucester, MA | 03/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Back In 1999 Jason released his debut CD 'Through my eyes' as JUST JAY. That album got a good review on our site and featured nicely played 80s typed AOR/Poprock with a definite JOURNEY vibe. Now Jason is going to release his new CD 'On the edge of the edge' in a few weeks and this album will be released under his own name, JASON GONZALEZ. Musically things have slightly changed, because he is now mixing 90s typed poprock with 80s AOR. Sometimes it's like you're listening to an old RICK SPRINGFIELD record, while at other times it is in the 90s melodic poprock vein (MATCHBOX 20), but happily Jason's vocals always stay in the STEVE PERRY style. Opener "A Shoulder To Lean On" is a very good semi AOR song that has STEVE PERRY fronting JOURNEY written all over. The rest is a little less JOURNEY, but still interesting. My favorite tracks are "I Need You Too" (fantastic early 80s AOR/Radio rocker like RICK SPRINGFIELD meets STEEL BREEZE), "My Own Way" (70s typed rocker a la early JOURNEY), "Walkin'" (best song of the whole CD, very catchy early 80s, like PREVIEW/AIRRACE) and closing track "It's Just A Feeling" which is a good AOR/Melodic poprocker with a STEVE PERRY vibe."