Dean Johanesen of The Human Condition

“The Human Conditions Sound, sarcastically dubbed “folk-core” by musician friends, is acoustic with just enough grit to avoid being adult contemporary. Melodies are pushed to the forefront and delivered by Johanesen’s beautiful instrument of a voice.”
- Cooper Levey Baker

“…Bradenton’s Human Condition, an acoustic-rock act with a passel of catchy affecting songs.”
- Eric Snider - Creative Loafing

The Human Condition — *five
Produced by Steve Connelly, Zen Recording in St. Petersburgh, FL

The Human Condition truly touches on the emotional condition of a man or woman’s soul in the heat of romance or tragedy. The band knows how write and perform music that draws in the exuberance and appeal of youth, and in their new release, the members dig deep into their well of feelings to translate emotion into music.

The artsy songs of *five kick off energetically with the rocking gem, “Purple Heart,” segueing candidly into the smooth, polished heartbreaker, “Sorry in the Meantime.” Finalizing the album is the fifth track, “From,” a well-structured, brutal attack on electric lead guitar, neatly balanced with riveting bass and gripping percussion, all overlaying a grunge-like vocal style, giving the band a recognizable identity.

The songs are beautifully placed in the order given, lending the entire thematic aspect of the album meaning. Charming songwriter Dean Johanesen is backed up nicely by a group that churns out one dazzling performance after another. Each tune is crafted with subtle, yet very well drawn-out creativity as the melodies carry a certain weight that pulls, tugs, and at times, rips at the heartstrings. The vocals are passionate and from the heart, the choruses build and build, a climax that adds to the excitement.

Inspiring and thought-provoking, this little EP is well mannered, yet the listener is left hanging in sorrow, eager to find out more about this band. A nugget of golden musical bliss, both vivid and graceful, this record is just that perfect glimpse one needs. (Self-released)

www.human-condition.com

-Shawn M. Haney


- Performer Magazine - Southeast edition

“The Catchy melodies fit nicely around Johanesen’s balmy vocals to form a radio friendly brew of
folk/rock that should appeal to Jack Johnson and Ben Harper enthusiasts.”
- Wade Tantangelo

"Stir the Soul Coffee House says Dean Johanesen is a monster songwriter, singer, and guitarist. His mate Anson played the mandolin like a guitar and made it anything but a sideline instrument. Great, great show tonight. So much positive response from the folks who were here. Thanx Dean. Lets do it again real soon."
"PS - thanx also for playing the extra time - everybody really appreciated the fact that ya did. Plus, I don't think they were gonna let ya leave at 10 o'clock without a fight anyway."

- Daney Jelley (Owner)

“The Human Condition is a tight band. Their sound is distinctive yet familiar, combining the up-tempo heartbeat of the Dave Matthews Band, the melodic hooks of David Gray and the emotionally raw lyrics
of Tori Amos…and like the aforementioned artists, they are engaging to watch.”
- The Gazette - Aaron Alper

The Human Condition…a contemporary folk-ish anomaly poetically spliced between rock storminess and pop melody. More than that, however, is it’s experimental nature that includes using unexpected time signatures, jazz chords and alternate guitar tunings.

- The Herald Tribune - Dawn Scire

"Songwriter Showcase - Human Condition principal Dean Johanesen continues to set up some of the best acoustic showcases of local talent going. This one features..." - Weekly Planet - Scott Harrell

One of the hardest-working bands on the local scene returns with a new five-track EP recorded almost entirely live in the studio.

These tracks feature few overdubs and retakes, giving listeners an idea of the technical polish the folk-rock quintet has achieved thanks to countless gigs in clubs, coffee shops over the past couple years.

As always, the emphasis is placed on the jaunty acoustic guitar strumming and warm vocals of bandleader Dean Johanesen. Indie rock enthusiasts might wish for more dissonance, but with such strong melodies, it's tough to carp at anything here. - Cooper Levey-Baker - Creative Loafing

Critics' Pick
BEST LOCAL CD: The Human Condition, *Five

While Spontaneous Habit’s trip-hopping eponymous EP put up a fight in this category, Bradenton’s Human Condition just came up aces with *Five. The disc collects five (duh) tracks of deeply felt acoustic rock, bouncing from ripping country-tinged burners like “Purple Heart” to slower, soul-tinged tracks like “Back Roads.” Singer, songwriter and guitarist Dean Johanesen possesses a casual way with a tune, draping his rich baritone on each song but never over-emoting and getting all gushy on us, while Scott Anderson provides some backbone with his subtle electric guitar work. Johanesen and Anderson labored for quite a while trying to find equally committed bandmates. Listening to *Five, it sounds like that search is a thing of the past.

Human Condition, human-condition.com or myspace.com/thehumancondition.
- Creative Loafing

" The 11 tunes selected for Life In Lines reflect the band’s eclectic taste and personality, yet all fit together extremely well. From the upbeat, danceable “Don’t Stand Still” to the lonely, cello-saturated “Last Dance,” each song reveals a different side of The Human Condition, the thoughtful standout “Godspeed” invoking the feel of Lyle Lovett and featuring honey-voiced singer-songwriter Pulley singing alongside frontman Dean Johanesen. “Pocket Change” is a solid acoustic rock song that might have a serious shot at substantial radio airplay. Life In Lines is a stellar example of the high quality music that the Tampa Bay area has to offer as well as a fine representation of The Human Condition’s undeniable talents. "
- Jeff O'Kelley , - Creative Loafing - Tampa (May 10, 2010)

"Don’t think it’s faint praise when I call The Human Condition one of the hardest working bands on the Suncoast...I first interviewed H.C. main man Dean Johanesen back before Creative Loafing, excuse me, Weekly Planet, printed in color or had a website. You don’t achieve that kind of longevity without a killer work ethic. On the The Human Condition’s new full-length disc, Life in Lines, you can hear the band’s years of experience in the crisply executed tunes, all of which show Johanesen, drummer Mike Eng, bassist Mark Pezzo and guitarist Dave Berry’s talent for composing buoyant, acoustic-driven pop-rock. “Song to Myself” is a standout, with a guest solo from saxophonist Ronnie Dee... “Last Dance” — a mournful ballad featuring cello work by another special guest, Abe Feder — is another winner: touching and sad without devolving into sappiness. In the case of The Human Condition, hard work pays off. "
- Cooper Levey-Baker, - Creative Loafing - SRQ (Apr 30, 2010)

"Whether it's the full lineup performing or just frontman Dean Johansen, Bradenton's The Human Condition is one of the busiest rock bands around Tampa Bay. Hardly a week goes by when you won't find them at one coffeeshop, bar or singer-songwriter night around Tampa Bay -- Dunedin Brewery, 3 Birds Tavern and Tre Amici @ the Bunker are all frequent sighting spots. This acoustic-fronted band combines elements of pop and rock along the lines of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Ben Harper and the Wallflowers, but their melodies are too textured, luminous and, well, human to dismiss as generic."
- Curtis Ross -
- TBT - Tampa Bay Times (Apr 21, 2010)