Jonathan Seet

In the 2007 Toronto Vagina Monologues V-Day performances, Jonathan contributed a live set of solo material. One of the Monologues performers approached him afterwards (with her boyfriend beside) and confessed, “that was the most beautiful, stunning performance I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen anyone perform like that. I cried.” Her boyfriend nods. Seet adds, “then he gave me his orange soda.”
The 2007 release of Jonathan Seet’s 3rd album, Thanks To Science, We’ve Got Love, comes after a long wait as a follow up to his 2003 critical darling, Arousal Disasters. All the recordings were finished and mastered by November 2005. All of the songs on Thanks To Science were performed and recorded by Seet his home recording studio. Some of the tunes feature Seet’s trademark massive pop-production value while others take a minimalist approach. It’s an album that can be compulsively listened to several times in succession without fatigue.
Jonathan Seet’s writing style has been called lush, cinematic, articulate, intelligent and “perfectly-formed pop symphonies.” It’s also been called sensual and poetic. While Arousal Disasters was thematically linked by vice and virtue in love, Thanks To Science is much more divergent. It’s still narrative and conversational but also seems somewhat more personal. Some songs, like “My Wasted Youth” and “Watching You Sleep” are almost confessional. “It’s Not Enough” is a back-beat rocker while “Come On” is a straight-up call-to-arms anthem.
He’s also maintained that wry sense of humour, irony and wordplay. “Fashion Tips For The Homeless” might sound un-P.C. but it’s merely a metaphorical observation on the state of religion and fanaticism in our modern day world. “Killing All My Friends” is a harmless, but gorgeous love song. Along with all this new material on Thanks To Science is also Seet’s deft cover version of “I Will Wait For You.”
It's as if someone took your childhood photo album and haphazardly scattered the images on the floor. Think Brian Ferry in worn out comfortable shoes. Mix in equal parts Robert Smith of The Cure, and Thom Yorke of Radiohead (alright, older Radiohead), and you're starting to get the picture. Can you imagine Jeff Tweedy in an Armani dinner jacket? David Bowie backed with a grand piano and an acoustic guitar? -Of course you can. You're there.