Artist For Today: The Jimmy Cake

Howdy,

I have liked Irish band The Jimmy Cake since I came across Brains. A slow burning, gentle, experimental instrumental album, which could probably slide into the post rock genre if one felt like labelling it. The (usually 9 piece) band play instruments varying from accordion, clarinet, glockenspiel, tenor sax, banjo, and found percussion as well as straight-up guitars, drums and bass. Verging on ambient at times, this is a cracking album, very hard to find but well worth the search.

Their next album Dublin Gone Everybody Dead was louder, heavier, darker and (for want of a better word) angrier. Many folks seem to prefer it over its predecessor. I say each to his own, it's a good album in its own right, but I prefer the more laid back tone of Brains.

But now to the reason i thought I would write this: their new album Spectre & Crown. I am listening to this as I write. And it really is a step up from what came before. A beautiful, melancholic, epic album, with beautiful, powerful melodies. Influences vary from classical to hints of pop brass to jazz - actually at times the band that springs to mind while listening to this album is Jaga Jazzist (an excellent band I will have to write a review on soon).

Anyways, I'm not much of a writer really, suffice it so say Spectre & Crown would be a lovely addition to any music collection. Very Good indeed. And as another reviewer pointed out - it would also make an excellent name for a pub :)

Cheers, Jim.