Violensia
Cavity Search, 2023
8/10
The Nashville resident Jesse Daniel Edwards returns with a personal but not autobiographical listen that’s a bit heavier than his earlier work, and emits a multifaceted version of rock which stems from an atypical upbringing.
“I’m So Happy (I Think I Might Cry)” begins the listen with warm piano and Edwards’ expressive singing in the powerful and emotive climate that uses rugged guitars, too, and the flowing and upbeat “Backyard Party MDA” follows with plenty of melody amid the thumping drums and diverse vocals.
“Drop Dead And Die” occupies the middle spot, and is busy and richly textured with dreamy versus thick moments of retro-rock, while “Matches & Gasoline” is quite dense and throbs with some alt-rock blasts that are firm yet tuneful.
Close to the end, “Missed Call From Evangeline” opens loud before segueing into a very pretty and lush album highlight, and “What Ever Happened To” exits with a piano fueled, cautious demeanor of graceful song craft.
Raised in Southern California in a religious house, Edwards moved around as a military brat, and was largely unexposed to popular music when he was young. He left home at 16 and found himself busking all over the world, being a tour manager to Morrissey, Jason Isbell, and Lucinda Williams, and honing his skills outside bars on Nashville’s Music Row.
Certainly a formula that’s not easy to label, his ‘70s rock influences are not hard to spot, and the post-punk, anthemic rockers and piano balladry might remind you of Queen, Bowie or Rufus Wainright, which is something I don’t think anyone is going to have a problem with.
Travels well with: Waldemar- Ruthless; Rufus Wainwright- Rufus Does Judy At Capitol Studios