Jessica Jones and The Lizards are an alternative, jazz, soul, funk, acoustic band from Manchester, whose mellow, sublime, stripped down tones are amplified through their live performances. Formed in 2011, Jessica Jones and The Lizard are comprised of the stunning Jessica Jones on vocals, Toby Belshaw on acoustic guitar, Kev Pugh on bass guitar and Elliot Wyse on percussion as hand drums. A cross between Olivia Newton John and Norah Jones, Jessica has a voice which effortlessly glides and seduces with its angelic falsetto tones. Amongst all its breezy romanticism, Jessica Jones and The Lizards takes a few earthy bumps along the way, which are reflected in the pensive lyrics.
With songs such as the sublime “Butterflies”, you see how less is definitely more and how it captivates with its punchy and rolling soundscape. Lyrically “ Butterflies” is minimal coated in a dreamy veneer. With lyrics such as “With you, I feel so high, with you, you bring butterflies” you hear how Jessica wistfully wraps her sweet tones around the upbeat and rugged beats.
With “Your Star”, you see how the band takes on a more melancholic and duskier sound. With its jangly and Spanish-tinged riffs, “Your Star” conveys a more dramatic, weather-beaten feel, allowing the sombre vocals to resonate against the chugging hand drums, wavering bass and jangly beats.
“2012” I think is the bands most accomplished song so far. Along with its rolling hand drums it’s the more textured acoustic and stern, angular riffs that slam against Jessica’s stunning vocals. It’s a song which broods in suspense and builds to a crescendo with the tender lyrics. Lyrics such as “If the world ends tonight, its ok as it feels ok….” are delivered with laid-back romanticism, encapsulating the sentiments of the song. It’s also a song which shows us Jessica’s impressive vocal range, which sweeps “2012” towards a dreamy laid-back out-tro. With a few new songs in the making, I think that Jessica Jones and The Lizards are definitely a band to look out for, so it is a case of watch this space…
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Jones-and-The-Lizards/165427963478883?fref=ts
They sound an interesting band- Will try to see them in 2013.
Listen out for a Jessica Jones and The Lizards live session on Introducing…BBC Radio Lancashire 2nd feb. Join our facebook page to keep updated on upcoming shows and events
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Jones-and-The-Lizards/165427963478883?ref=hl