 Jack
Harlan
"Scintilla EP" CDR
Self-released
Genres: folk-rock, folk, alt country
Dec 6 - 12 2004 |
At first, this home-produced, slim-case CDR didn't look all that
promising. I was expecting Jack Harlan's Scintilla EP
to be some sort of adult contemporary nightmare, but instead it's a
solid collection of twangy folk-rock tunes. The music starts off
really well, with the infectious (though unnecessarily long)
"Down To The River" and the wonderfully rollicking "Ain't
No Satisfaction." Harlan seems equally influenced by
Bob Dylan as by Will Oldham.
The brief "Wrestling With Cain" and the mysterious and
drawn-out "Devil's Bed" wouldn't sound out of place on an Anomoanon
record, while "Burning Star" puts the "rock" in
folk-rock (haw haw haw.) Overall, this is a fine EP with some
truly impressive songs on it. It'll hook you, but the lengthy
nature of the first and last songs could prove unsavory. Still -
check this out, if you can find it.
84%
Fun Fact: From Jack Harlan's
biography: "Setting aside music temporarily in Vancouver, Jack
studied at the Western School of Funeral Service for two intense years
and was granted his Government License as a Funeral Director and
Licensed Embalmer. Though not directly related to his music career, he
considers this a time of great inspiration."
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
5 tracks, distributed by the
artist, released 2004] |
