Posts tagged jesse thomas
Don’t take Jesse Thomas too seriously, but take her music very seriously. She’s a hilarious girl when it comes to commentary and spoken word. However, she writes mainly emotional, acoustic and ear-catching songs. War Dancer is her debut full-length album, and it sounds like the work of a smoky-voiced siren who cracks jokes when speaking but gets her feelings out when singing. A true creative channeler, indeed.
Sounds Like:The Weepies, Lifehouse, Cary Brothers
“Better Geography” starts with soft acoustic strumming, a mellow bass line and a barely-there shaker keeping the beat. When Thomas opens with, “I’m no good at emotional stuff,” she gives us a winking glimpse at the heartfelt, occasionally poignant contents of this diary-like album. She yearns for the love she lost to that someone else, reckoning “All she has on me is better geography” and rhetorically asking “Is that enough?” with the can-do resolve of a girl who’s getting her man back. The simple instrumentation complements her straightforward intent, with only a tambourine, bass drum and ethereal backing vocals entering the calm, collected tune toward its end.
“You I Want” picks up the pace significantly with upbeat drums, driving acoustic strums and a smooth, sliding bass motive. Thomas opens with another clever line – “I said too much again / Foot-in-my-mouth syndrome” – followed by a nod to her sometimes-salty vocabulary – “How did I f*** this up? / I shoulda held my tongue.” The jam quickly builds to a pulsating, pleading chorus as she begs her lover over to talk things out, of all things. Hand claps come clattering in at second chorus, along with echoing backup vocals before she gives one last try to entice him with a peace offering of wine. Alcohol always fixes everything, right?
Key Tracks:
Better Geography, You I Want, Back to Fighting, Song for You, Already Mine
“Sidewalk Ends” sounds like a song written for a terminally ill friend. It’s a quick, hopeful ditty with jangly strumming, lively mandolin and bouncy bass that juxtapose well with the moody cello and bass drum. Thomas drifts from one emotional extreme – “Sometimes her heart beats fast / Like a little heart attack / But I love her, I do” – to the next – “She said she’s leveled out / The medication’s working out / Well I hate her, I do” – with voice-cracking vocals that mirror her torn feelings for that special someone whose body and soul are stretching them thin. Yet with unwavering certainty, Jesse vows to always be there.
“Brave” keeps things mellow and borders on the dreamy territory of the Weepies. It opens with smooth falsetto backing “oohs,” a stand-up bass, shoegaze strumming and slow-country lead guitar, all of which form the song’s steady backbone. Thomas employs her signature style of honest, pleading, almost-whispered vocals to great effect over the tune’s chill, somber orchestration. “I’m ready now, I’m ready / These obstacles seem petty,” she croons as she prepares to put aside her fears and wholeheartedly give her heart away.
Music video for “You I Want”
“Oh My Dear” continues the chill vibe with its ever-so-soft finger-picking and slow build. But it adds some intrigue and tension with as the chorus comes in all flustered and frustrated. “I trip, I trip on every word / You make, you make it less awkward / Our eyes in a line, my love is redefined / I choke, I choke, I shoulda spoke,” Thomas sings. This one really comes to life during the heavy-drum bridge, and the dramatic piano sprinkles on the sadness, driving home its message of a missed opportunity at fate-driven love.
Nothing against the previous few tracks, but beginning with “Back to Fighting,” War Dancer gets really good. Playful piano crescendos open up the song – and I’ll admit: I was disappointed they didn’t persevere throughout. Still, it makes for a great tune thanks to upbeat snare-and-high-hat drums, sliding-and-scorching electric guitar accents and relentless acoustic strumming. Its group chant ending really sets it apart as distinct, (ironically) collective and sing-along worthy.
“Song for You” is another great one. Rhythmic finger-picking and the oh-so-catchy “you-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-oohs” make it unforgettable. Thomas’ drawn-out vocals seep through your skin to show you just how earnest she feels about the loved one for which she pines. “We could watch reruns of Jeopardy / Yelling at the TV screen / Rooftops and shooting stars / Roadtrips in my beat-up car,” she sings, obviously for that one-and-only person. Rightly so, the steel drum hits add a unique touch that works surprisingly well with the songs moody cello and downtrodden strumming.
Best Lyric:
“I’m ready now, I’m ready / These obstacles seem petty” - “Brave”
Next up is “Already Mine,” yet another keeper. A rare gem on the album, this one would make a good dance number. Its bouncy stand-up bass, bluegrass drums and lively strumming keep it all upbeat and fun. The doo-woppy chorus takes it to another level – compared to War Dancer’s other tracks – as does its awesome trumpet break. Over all this revelry, Thomas tells her lover to forego the games and “bullshit” in favor of realness and honesty. Word.
“Madeline” brings things back down to the album’s mainly emotional feel. It opens with a piano line reminiscent of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Her soulful vocals soon enter in, as does a melancholy cello and some dramatic violin. Speaking of which, this track’s violin break takes it up a notch, just before more strings come in to flesh out the main melody. Very nicely and classically done, Jesse.
I’m super-bummed to report that after a week of trying, I’ve still been unable to get “Whisky While I Wait” to download from iTunes. From what I can tell on the preview excerpt, though, it sounds like a bitter f***-you sendoff to a lazy lover with some good acoustic guitar and pensive lyrics.
Overall Rating:
As Jesse Thomas’ first album, War Dancer is a strumming contradiction, just like its writer. Sometimes it’s all sad and somber. Other times it’s fun energy and elation. But either way, it’s a great start for an artist that knows how to get in touch with both sides of the emotional spectrum. With her smoky voice, acoustic chops and elusive style, you’ll want to keep an eye on this one for sure.
