Send "Jonathan Coulton " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Popmatters |
 A few years ago after a show in Seattle, singer-songwriter and former computer programmer Jonathan Coulton was approached by two developers from multi-billion dollar videogame empire Valve Corporation. Agreeing to work with them on their new project, Coulton wrote “Still Alive”, the song which closed Valve’s 2007 puzzle game Portal. Featuring the vocals of a deranged artificial intelligence played by opera singer-turned-voice actress Ellen McLain, the piece drew on Coulton’s experience with geek culture and added millions of gamers to his expanding audience. Given the break of a lifetime, what is a self-described “internet superstar” to do next?His first full-sized release of new material since 2006, Artificial Heart aims to cover a lot of bases for Coulton. Featuring production by the most ideal candidate, John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, the record is a bold effort to not only energise Coulton’s existing fanbase but also to broaden and professionalise his sound in a way which might attract new and more mainstream listeners. This enterprise is not without risk – broadened horizons mean scaled-down geekery from Coulton, who has expressed a fear that his existing devotees might react negatively to even a modest change in style. Rarely has an album of slick power pop walked such a precipitous tightrope – these are tense times for “JoCo”, but deliciously exciting ones for those of us on the outside....full text |
| Prettygamer |
| Jonathan Coulton, when discussing his thoughts about the prospect of creating a new album for his masses of rabid fans, gave a list of reasons why the new project scared him. The one that struck me was number five, “I’m afraid that even a small change in direction is going to disappoint some fans.” Having listened to the new album, I can see why he would be afraid. This is a grown up sounding Jonathan Coulton. There isn’t too much here for the robots and evil scientists crowd, but thats okay. The songs still have the JoCo quality we’ve come to know and love. This album takes some serious nods to Ben Folds at times, and They Might Be Giants at others. There are 16 new songs here, along with reworkings of both Portal songs, “Still Alive” and “Want You Gone”. The new arrangement of Still Alive really stands out, with vocals by Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara fame. As for the new songs, “Glasses”, “Sucker Punch”, and the albums title track “Artificial Heart” are the most likely to get stuck in your head, but I have a feeling that like most of his catalouge, the other songs will start to pop over time. Don’t get me wrong, these are great songs, but they don’t have the immediate hook that songs like “Re: Your Brains” had. In fact, some of these tracks are downright contemplative. (I’m looking at you, “The World Belongs to You”, which appears to be about a god losing his credibility)...full text |
| Newmusicmonkey |
| Not many pop musicians can say they have attended an Ivy League university. Jonathan Coulton, however, can add his name to that list. The Yale alumnus has released Artificial Heart, which seems to blend his passion for science and geekery into one incredibly catchy album. Upon my first listening, I asked myself, “Who is this guy trying to be? Ben Folds?” The themes featured in Coulton’s songs touch on the monotonies of everyday life, reminiscent of Mr. Folds. But Jonathan Coulton sets himself apart from the tongue-in-cheekedness of “Rockin’ the Suburbs” by embracing his own geeky songwriting with honesty rather than irony. One gets the feeling that Coulton doesn’t take himself too seriously. Just check out “Je Suis Rick Springfield” on track eight (translated as “I Am Rick Springfield” for those who don’t speak French) or “The Stache” on track eighteen (a song devoted entirely to a mustache). Overall, Artificial Heart is a great example of how pop music should be written, and a welcome addition to any aficionado’s collection....full text |
Jonathan Coulton lyrics
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