Description
This album came out a couple of months ago, but some problems in distribution from France (where the Textile lable is located) kept us from getting this until now. Nevertheless, “Change” is the much anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed pair of Jackie-O Motherfucker albums “Liberation” and “Magick Fire Music.” This fluctuating ensemble of musicians have made a few minor alterations to their psychedelic improvisations channelled through the mythologies of Appalachian folk music; but for the most part, “Change” isn’t that much of a prophetic title for this work. Jackie-O Motherfucker lets loose a vast array of instrumentation (guitars, violins, cellos, sax, reeds, vibes, and percussion) to explore any number of divergent paths of improvisation, while attempting to hold generalized themes which at times reference an Easter snake-charming vibe and at others a Huck Finn laziness. The latter is exemplified by Tom Greenwood’s nasally vocals which wistfully meander through a couple of tracks like Gibby Haynes on even heavier sedation than usual. Jackie-O is at their best when structuring this sprawling aesthetic in a post-rock expansiveness (i.e. Tarentel, Pajo, Sonna, etc.) in which repeated guitar riffs reign in all of the other instruments as ornamentation. Yet, more frequently on “Change” than previous outings, Jackie-O allows for a Knitting Factory-style noodle jazz to be invoked through a plethora of solos. (Aquarius Records)
