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We've been a little unkind to Immaculate Machine in the past,
labelling High On Jackson Hill's predecessor, Fables, with the most
dismissive of terms in a reviewer's vocabulary: beige. As a band that
specialise in pouring on the sunny charm, it is no doubt their fate to
be considered the soggy lettuce in the hamburger of life by some.
Going by track titles like I Only Love You For Your Car alone, this,
their fifth album, promises to be a whole lot edgier than previous
efforts.
Is it? Well, yeah, sort of. Kinda. Maybe. If you asked Immaculate
Machine themselves, you'd probably get the shuffling of shy and
embarrassed indie feet in response. It is certain, at least, that the
sound of the band has changed somewhat, though this is due to
personnel issues.
Keyboardist and singer Kathryn Calder has taken on
additional commitments with uncle A.C. Newman's band the New
Pornographers, while drummer Luke Kozlowski has been replaced by
Aden Collinge. Caitlin Gallupe and Jordan Minkoff also joined the band.
Other than a having a slightly longer roll-call at band meetings, this
has also meant that singer and guitarist Brooke Gallupe has taken on a
definite role as the band's lead singer.
Which presents, in a tricky sort of way, a problem. You see,
Calder, who sounds like a sweeter Jenny Lewis, is the real draw
here. With the New Pornographers, she tends to fill in for an
absentee Neko Case, which is unlucky for both bands, because
Calder, too, should soon be pursuing a profitable solo career. Case in
point is You Destroyer, where Calder takes lead vocals for a wistful,
country-esque shakedown on a destructive relationship. It's the
highlight of High On Jackson Hill.
This doesn't mean that Brooke Gallupe is necessarily unwelcome, in
the same way that Einar �rn Benediktsson's mad rantings in
The Sugarcubes were, for example. It's more that his drawl is a
little thinner and slightly less appealing than the textured vocals
that Calder provides. On first listen, you'll find yourself enjoying
the almost-kitsch pop of He's A Biter, for instance, but wondering
when next Calder will pop her head up and take the lead.
Disappointingly, while she has a prominent part in And It Was, she
doesn't lead another song on the album. This is a shame, but it
shouldn't rule High On Jackson Hill out of consideration. The
Gallupe-lead tracks are still well-constructed, and his vocal delivery
is engaging. The album as a whole is what you could refer to as a
grower, gaining in merit with each listen, as the cute hooks of I Only
Love You For Your Car and grungy guitar of Thank Me Later sink deeper
into the psyche.
So, while you couldn't call this effort beige, it is still clear to
see that it is lacking the necessary punch to make it a classic.
Apart, Gallupe or, more likely, Calder are probably well capable of
creating something much more enduring. High On Jackson Hill, however,
is a bit like the average summer day: sweet, warm, and eventually
forgotten.
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