rescuing musical virtue in distress.
The thing I love about Left L.A, one of the things anyway, is the way that it begins in a jaunty, upbeat sort of rocky/country sort of place but, just when you think that you have its measure, throws you a curve-ball, heading into some more introspective and melancholic territory. And once it has set... Continue Reading →
Having already had a taste of this new album via the wonderfully languid and mysterious James River Swim and knowing from earlier singles that Jacques has an eclectic and singular style, the only thing that you can expect going into this latest album is …the unexpected. But navigating the unexpected can be a joyous experience,... Continue Reading →
With the previous, Charmed to Death, album Stephen Jaques proved that he was as equally at home with a foot on the monitor arse-kicker as he was a more deft and delicate ballad. This latest single, taken from his new album, Soul Hydraulics, certainly comes from the latter end of the sonic spectrum. But as... Continue Reading →
Really getting back into the swing of things now after the Christmas lull. Loads of cool new music for you to check out as a taste of what has been played, promoted and written about in the office of late. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cSbtLMdlRQBkvWFc3DTqh?si=r_nE_57rQhmrUxnRSWMJbA
When I Fell In Love With You was my first taste of Stephen Jacques wonderfully ragged, slightly world-weary rock and roll. I loved it. It reminded me of a wealth of gipsy-rock guitar-slingers from my formative years, ones who understood that it isn’t about polished conformity or echoing commercial sounds, it is about doing what... Continue Reading →
Love songs are, all too often, known for being sweet, schmaltzy and slightly saccharine affairs, high on romance and sentiment, low on intimacy and honesty. In short they are, generally speaking, dishonest. When I Fell In Love With You is the antidote to all of that. It has a loose and ragged quality, again a... Continue Reading →
