You Know
Cornelius Chapel, 2019
9/10
Jaco is Jake Waitzman, who’s spent much time playing drums in bands like Vulture Whale, The Wes McDonald Plan and Ham Bagby, but here he’s front and center on some giant sized rock that takes the influences of his many endeavors and packs an extremely memorable punch on this debut.
“On The Ground” gets the album off to a synth heavy start with bright sounds that settles into crisp and energetic alt-rock ideas, and “For Myself” follows with a more subdued approach that soars with a dreamy setting.
Elsewhere, “Blackboard” puts percussion center stage on a mid ‘90s rocker that will satiate any Sedadoh or Pavement fan, while the swirling guitars of “I Don’t Mind” help make this a stand out track on a listen where every tune is top notch.
The back half of the record is just as glorious, with the driving rock of “Shoe”, the classic rock tinted “You Way” and kinetic sounds of “Again”, which is a tune so well written, it’s worth the price of admission alone. “All Your Love” ends the fun on a multifaceted approach to Jaco’s eclectic and charged presence.
As far as first records go, it just doesn’t get much better than this. Technically proficient, daring in the all the right ways and finding the perfect balance between intensity and melody, You Know is absolutely one of the best records of the year.
Travels well with: Teenage Fanclub- Grand Prix; Big Star- Radio City