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Jackie-O Motherfucker: Earth Sound System [Album Review]

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I initially found it very difficult to write about Jackie-O Motherfucker. After all, I’m a bit of a newcomer to the band, having only really listened to two, maybe three of their albums. And with a total of 15 under their belt since 1995, they have the history and repertoire that is both prolific and highly impressive.

For the devotee, you’re probably already aware of their new album Earth Sound System. For everyone else, here’s an introduction.

The band, aforementioned, released their first album in 1995. Their releases, albeit predominantly fitting somewhere into the realm of psychedelia, may dabble in a variety of genres. Space rock, prog rock, post rock, and even free jazz.

Earth Sound System covers many of these; it’s not entirely cohesive but it is quite unique. “In The Willows” blends psych with a spooky style of dark folk fairly common in acts like The Black Heart Procession. From here it dives into the erratic free-improvisation of “Raga Joining” for seven minutes of the utterly bizarre.

“Bring It To Me” and “Dedication” return to the folk-influenced psych-rock with a bit more minimalism. No matter what the song, Jackie-O adds in subtle elements of experimentation that sets them apart from virtually all other acts out there today. Certain traits may be mimicked, but other artists can never get the strange nuances Jackie-O creates.

“Raga Separating”, as expected based on the title, finds Jackie-O Motherfucker diving back into the erratic, free-style weirdness of the second track. But it’s “Where We Go” that takes the cake, with heavier guitars and louder vocals. Here’s the spacey, explorational rock, injected with louder riffs and even some bouncy near-pop keyboards.

Earth Sound System is quite interesting, which should be expected from a band such as Jackie-O Motherfucker. Interesting is what you can expect but everything else is unexpected, which leaves a lot of room for anticipation and to be pleasantly surprised.

Earth Sound System will be released June 7 via Fire Records.

Download: “In The Willows” by Jackie-O Motherfucker
[audio:110430-jackie-o-in-the-willows.mp3|titles=In The Willows|artists=Jackie-O Motherfucker]

jackie-o-motherfucker-earth-sound-system

Fire Records [CD, 2011]

1. In The Willows
2. Raga Joining
3. Bring It To Me
4. Dedication
5. Raga Separating
6. Where We Go

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