Search - Jakob Dylan :: Women and Country

A Beautiful Sound

O. MICHAEL | UK-Peru-Japan | 04/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off - why albums are released at different times around the world is a source of great frustration to me. The US had the initial release on the 6th, Europe on the 19th and Japan [rest of the world] when someone can be bothered. Fortunately import versions are available to anyone prepared to pay a little extra. And simply this album is worth paying a little extra for. The mix on the album and the overall sound is quite beautiful.



I read some criticism of this album, complaining that Jakob and his vocals had been, somehow, dumped into backing tracks and a different genre that was totally inappropriate. I just dont hear that at all, the sound and the mix for me is almost perfect. Very sympathetic. I also dont think this a country recording as other listeners suggested, sure some songs have a slight country tinge, but I even have problems labelling this Americana. At any other point in time eg. 10 years ago this would be a rock album to everyone and it is too me.



Jakobs lyrics are interesting and his voice is great, the backing and playing is just top-notch. As a producer T-Bone Burnett does not have many peers, and it was inevitable that they would work together again, considering the success they had with "Bringing Down The Horse".



Its hard to pick out particular songs - but I will try.



The song "Lend a hand" sounds like it would not be out of place on a Tom Waits album, around the raindogs period, a great New Orleans/Jazzy feel to it. "Nothing but the whole wide world" - a great lilting ballad which has beautiful harmonies from Neko Case. Actually on most of the album the harmonies are great and give a very warm feel. The country-tinge continues on the gentle "down on our own shield". "We don't live here anymore" has a dreamy quality to it, the track "yonder come the blues" is very a understated lullaby, singing about bad times following good with a world-weary inevitabilty. "Everybody's hurting" has lovely harmonies and talks about suffering in a rural setting, families unable to move but dreaming of a better life, possibly a commment on todays economy and related problems - it has a real folky/country feel to it really nice backing and fiddle playing. "Truth for truth" has a beautiful Chris Isaak type guitar backing. "They trapped us boys" has a strong banjo/mandolin sound. "Smile when you call me that" is a song after the breakdown of a relationship/marriage with memorable lyrics to the fore - "I am down on my knees, when you wont have me back, can you at least smile when you call me that" - this for me is very remminiscent of a Springsteen sound, around greetings period but I cant remember which song it is. The final song gets back to a sound which would not be out of place on a Waits album, a dark jazzy sound and great lyrics.



Its a great album it suggests many other artists work, but it memorable in its own right and I am sure I will continue to enjoy it. If you are a Jakob fan, from the wallflowers period, or his solo work you will enjoy this. If you are a fan of mainstream US singersongwriter rock this should appeal to you, its a very mature sound. If you are here because you enjoy T-Bone Burnettes work he doesnt put a step out of place here. Yes, I recommend it without reservation. I have a feeling it will be making quite a few year end lists.



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Highlights -



Nothing but the whole wide world

Everybody's hurting

Smile when you call me that

Lend a hand



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Incidently check out the Rolling Stone magazine, they play 4 of the tracks live in the studio. Its Great stuff."

Still Country, more women...

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 04/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jakob Dylan's solo debut "Seeing things" was a largely stripped acoustic affair produced by Rick Rubin. His sophomore disc is produced by T Bone Burnett and features harmonies by Neko Case and Kelly Hogan set against a fuller musical backdrop.



The gentle "Nothing but the whole wide world" has sweeping strings, fiddle, and beautiful female harmonies intertwined with Dylan's for a lovely Country song. Even more melancholic but startingly lovely is "Down on our own shield".



The dramatic "Lend a hand" has a whole different pseudo-Jazzy feel with horns, plodding marching beats, and dramatic lyrics. "We don't live here anymore", also with gently plodding beats and fiddle is darker.



"Everyboby's hurting" is a sweeping Country song with lovely harmonies, while the ever so gentle lilting "Yonder come the Blues" reminds me of Bruce Springsteen's more tender moments.



Every song is a delight really; the gentle "Holy rollers for love", the more upbeat but still forlorn-sounding "Truth for a truth", the Folky "They've trapped us boys", the swaying "Smile when you call me that", and the horn-sprinkled upbeat "Standing eight count" (with gently thumping beats and chugging bass).



Much as his debut was beautiful in it's simplicity, I feel this is even better and another winner."

Dylan, Neko & Co good. T-Bone bad.

KLW | Pacific NW | 04/07/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I love this project, but I think it would have been much better without T-Bone Burnett.



Neko Case lends Dylan herself as backing vocalist, and her whole damn band, including on the tour. How many artists with her solo career would do something like this? Awesome.



The songs are good, and Neko and Hogan sound great on the harmonies... when you can hear them. Unfortunately, they are mostly buried under totally inappropriate bouncy bass lines and overall syrupy soft overproduction. If you want to hear how good these songs can sound, try the "Tiny Desk Concert" of 3 songs on NPR's website/podcast, or fish around on youtube. Incredible!



So, it's 5 stars for the project and 1 star for the production, averaging out to 3."