The Jack Cades – “Something New” (Beluga 139 / Dangerhouse Skylab DSL 074 ) May 2023
I have elevated The Jack Cades to Crown Jewel status mainly because of their consistently great body of work. All of their previous releases are essential but this new LP “Something New”, is of a very high calibre indeed, easily their best yet and worthy of your investigation and devoted support.
The talented Mike Whittaker (check out his solo work Paper Lips) is perhaps the focal point in the group. In the past he has come up with most of the material, the insidious beat guitar riffs and beautiful melodies.
However, this time around Elsa Whittaker (Missing Souls), another driving force, and purveyor of rhythm guitar, organ and vocals has chipped in with five of her self-penned nuggets.
Syncopated time
The omnipresent Mole Lambert (Groovy Uncle, Baron Four, Embrooks, Galileo Four . . . and lots more besides) bangs the drums in thrilling syncopated time. Providing the disciplined bass pulse is Beat Girl Alexandra Cools (Speedball Jr, Evil Thingies).
“Something New” contains thirteen songs, an LP bursting with memorable originals, undeniably full of pop hooks and elegant melodies . . . most of which are medium-paced with shimmering jangle. Mike’s guitar tones are bright and clean.
The only non-original track is a remake of “Temptation Inside Your Heart”, a previously shelved 1968 recording by the Velvet Underground.
The clever sequencing of the tracks, a Mike Whittaker beat rocker followed by a reflective Elsa Whittaker number, sung with her deep soulful vocals, adds to the variety and flow of the album which is book-ended by chiming guitar instrumentals “Rise” and the closer “Last Stand”.
All in all, “Something New” is a truly excellent LP, one which I’ve already played a dozen or more times within the past couple of days. The tunes are so hauntingly catchy and timeless.
The record will be difficult to surpass but with the talent and expertise the Jack Cades demonstrate in abundance on this I’m sure they’re already planning more sonically enhanced sights and sounds.
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Misc notes:
Recorded at Gizzard Recording Studies, July 2022.
Produced by Ed Gizzard and The Jack Cades
Released 27th May 2023
Pop-Art cover design: Robin Gnista
Pressing of 500 copies (100 red vinyl)
Related release:
“Something New” / “Chasing You” (Outro Records 040) December 2022
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