CD Review: The Flying Change
By Russ Starke on May 5, 2009 in Music | 0 Comments
When we last checked in with Sam Jacobs, we were reviewing the latest release from LiPSTIK – the EP “There Is Only One Thing”. At the time, work on the follow-up full length was already underway – and it has finally arrived, along with a name change for the group to “The Flying Change”. Lest you think that was off the cuff, it was inspired by the poetry of family friend and Pulitzer-prize winner, Henry Taylor, who happened to be the college roommate of Sam’s father. Swish!
This is one of the reasons why I like Sam and his music so much – take a look at the blog over at www.theflyingchange.com when you have a few minutes to kill, and you’ll see that this is a thoughtful dude who likes to have meaning and substance behind his art (and his thoughts about what constitutes “art” and good music are right along the lines of what we argue about so often on the podcast). Better yet, that intellectual and artistic framework is there if you’re into that sort of thing, but you’re not beat over the head with it – a sentiment that some people seem to have walked away with from the latest Andrew Bird outing.
Anyway – the new full length. Probably one of the strongest endorsements was blindly playing the track “Dirty White Coats” for Jeff – who said “wow, that is a fantastic song – who is that?” Indeed, on an album full of high points, that track is probably my favorite – with its gentle ukulele, strings, and harmonies – it obscures the dark subject matter: “it’s about how doctors (well some doctors at least) can cause great harm and pain and how the process of sticking needles and tubes and machines in people, at least intuitively, seems to run contrary to the notion of making them feel better”. That insight will produce one of those “woah” moments during your second or third spin of the track…but that has always been Sam’s calling card: “painful words over uplifting music”.
That’s not to say that the whole album is heavy in that sort of way though – in fact, there are some downright rockers (“St. Mary’s”), and the playful take on the subway slogan “if you see something, say something” on the track “If You See Something”, is purely infectious.
In a nutshell, when you listen to the first song and the smoky vocals kick in, the first reaction may be “ah, OK – this will fit nicely alongside my Bon Iver, Iron & Wine, and Over The Rhine albums”. But don’t be fooled – this album is a journey, and it echoes of many different locales, emotions, and musical influences. As you progress, you’ll first start to notice all of the tasteful instrumentation filling out the arrangements (horns, flute, strings…and, you cheeky devil, is that a harpsichord in there?), and then the strength of the rhythms hits you. For me they evoke a more subdued version of “The Honeymoon Is Over” by The Cruel Sea (a fantastic old gem worth hunting down itself) and the production of one of my favorite albums of all time, Willie Nelson’s “Teatro”.
The Flying Change. What’s in a name? Nothing. The proof is in the pudding – and this one is rich, complex, and worth a sample. Join the conversation and enjoy the ride.
More: www.theflyingchange.com
TAGS: CD Review • Music • Sam Jacobs • The Flying Change
