Honestly, if you haven’t sat in a parked car at 2:00 AM with Durand Jones Is It Any Wonder vibrating through the door panels, have you even really heard it? There is something about that specific track—a cut from the band’s 2016 self-titled debut—that feels less like a song and more like a time machine. It’s got that "found footage" quality. You’d swear it was recorded in 1968 on a humid night in Chicago, but nope. It was tracked in a dingy basement in Bloomington, Indiana, for a grand total of about $450 and a case of cheap beer.
The first time I heard it, I actually checked the metadata to make sure I wasn't listening to a lost Motown B-side. It’s that convincing. But it’s not just a mimicry of the past. There’s a raw, bleeding-heart vulnerability in the way it’s delivered that makes it feel incredibly present.
The Magic of the Falsetto (And That Basment Sound)
The thing that catches most people off guard about this track is the voice. If you’re used to Durand Jones’ usual powerhouse, gravel-flecked baritone, "Is It Any Wonder" is a massive curveball. That’s because it’s not Durand leading the charge here. It’s the drummer, Aaron Frazer.
Frazer’s falsetto is silvery. It’s thin in the best way possible—fragile, sweet, and haunting. When he hits those high notes, it’s like a direct homage to the "sweet soul" of the late 60s, specifically groups like The Ethics or The Delfonics.
Why the "Lo-Fi" Production Matters
Back in 2012, when the band formed at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, they weren't trying to win Grammys. They were just bunch of guys obsessed with obscure 45s. They recorded the debut album on a Tascam 4-track cassette recorder.
- The Drum Sound: It’s dry and punchy, sitting right in your ear.
- The Tape Hiss: You can almost feel the physical tape moving.
- The Vocal Bleed: Everything feels like it’s happening in one room because, well, it was.
That "blown-out" vocal quality isn't a filter they added later in Pro Tools. It’s the sound of a microphone being pushed to its limit in a room that probably smelled like old laundry. It’s authentic. You can't fake that kind of grit with a plugin.
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Is It Any Wonder: A Lowrider Staple
You can’t talk about this song without mentioning the Lowrider community. While the indie crowd was busy discovering the band through KEXP sessions, the Chicano soul scene in East LA and beyond had already claimed them.
There’s a specific subculture that prizes "souldies"—slow, romantic soul ballads perfect for cruising slow in a pristine Impala. "Is It Any Wonder" fits that vibe perfectly. It’s got the "langourous" tempo. It’s got the heartbreak. The band eventually leaned into this, even releasing a Spanish version of their track "Cruisin' to the Park" later on, but "Is It Any Wonder" remains the blueprint. It’s the song that proved a bunch of kids from Indiana could tap into a tradition that spans generations of Southern California car culture.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
A lot of people hear this and think it’s just a simple "I love you" song. It’s not. If you actually listen to the lyrics, there's a deep sense of insecurity running through it.
"When the sun goes down at night, gonna let you know that everything’s alright."
That sounds comforting, sure. But then you get the lines about "cryin' wishin' you'd come home." It’s a song about the fear of loss. It’s about that moment in a relationship where you’re so deep in it that the idea of the other person leaving is actually terrifying. The "wonder" isn't just about how great the partner is; it's a genuine question—is it any wonder I'm this messed up over you?
It’s a "positive" song in the sense that it celebrates devotion, but it’s anchored in a very real, very human anxiety. That’s why it sticks. It doesn't feel like a Hallmark card. It feels like a late-night confession.
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The Famous Live "Pause"
If you ever get the chance to see Durand Jones & The Indications live (and they are still touring heavy, recently hitting the road for their 2025 album Flowers), pay attention during this song. There is often a moment where the music just... stops.
A dead-air silence.
In a world where every second of a concert is usually filled with noise or "How ya feelin' tonight?!" banter, that silence is heavy. On their live recordings, you can hear the crowd holding its breath. When the band finally drops back in, it’s like a release of pressure. It’s a masterclass in tension and release that most modern bands just don't have the guts to pull off.
How to Actually Listen to This Track (And What's Next)
If you've only heard the Spotify version, you're missing half the story. To really "get" the soul revival movement, you should look for the 45rpm vinyl release from Colemine Records. There’s a physical warmth to the vinyl that suits the 4-track recording style way better than a digital stream ever will.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check out the KEXP Version: Search for their 2016 KEXP live session. The visual of Aaron Frazer singing that high while maintaining a steady soul beat on the drums is honestly mind-blowing.
- Listen to "Make a Change": This was the A-side to "Is It Any Wonder" on the original 45. It’s the total opposite—politically charged, gritty, and led by Durand’s powerhouse vocals. It gives you the full picture of what the band is about.
- Explore the "Souldies" Genre: If this track hit for you, look up artists like Thee Sacred Souls or Junior Brown. There is a massive "New Soul" movement happening right now that avoids the over-produced sheen of Top 40 R&B.
This isn't just a "retro" act. It's a group of musicians who realized that the most "modern" thing you can do is be honest. "Is It Any Wonder" works because it doesn't try too hard. It’s just a few guys in a basement, a case of beer, and a feeling that they needed to get out of their systems. Ten years later, we're still feeling it.