Jagged Vacance: Winter Songs By Other People
Self-Released, 2024
9/10
Listen to Jagged Vacance: Winter Songs By Other People
The North Carolina outfit The Pinkerton Raid turn in holiday songs you may have never heard before, but aren’t likely to forget anytime soon.
“Holocene”, a Bon Iver selection, opens with front man Jesse James DeConto’s gruff voice alongside Andy Reed’s agile drumming and Cameron Collier’s soaring trumpet, and “Norwegian Wood” follows with warm guitar from DeConto and Chris Arnet’s soft drums that suit the Beatles interpretation that gets a bit hazy, too.
Elsewhere, Joni Mitchell’s “River” welcomes Noah Elliott’s well timed keys that complement the rich and intimate climate, while “Christmas Time Is Here” puts a cozy spin on the Charlie Brown Christmas classic, as dreamy guitar emits much wonder.
Close to the end, the Counting Crows’ hit, “A Long December” unfolds with DeConto’s meticulous banjo giving the tune a bluegrass feel with much emotion, and “A Hazy Shade Of Winter” exits with a busy but detailed take on folk-rock for a very adventurous version of the Paul Simon piece.
A highly eclectic mashing of indie-rock and modern folk, this is a really intriguing effort that can and should be enjoyed all year round.
Travels well with: C. Daniel Boling- Love, Dan; Dean Mueller- Wishes Never Gone