Dose
Cornelius Chapel, 2020
9/10
The recording moniker of Jake Waitzman, as Jaco he returns with a 2nd album on the Cornelius Chapel label, where Lester Nuby accompanies him on a highly melodic listen that often points towards the mid ‘90s with its alt-pop flavor.
“Outer Space” starts the listen with some indeed spacey ideas lingering in the power-pop influences, and “Weigh You” follows with firm nods to ‘90s college-rock ala The Lemonheads amid proficient guitar work and strategic keyboards.
Close to the middle, “Bluebird” gets a bit tropical with some intimate, retro-pop ideas, while “Sign Of A Struggle” recruits a rugged rock- nearly grungy- album highlight that also flirts with psyche-rock. Elsewhere, “Somebody Told Me” jangles firmly with some modern alt-rock spirit and Americana traces, too.
Near the exit, “Things In A Dream” is a deeper sung and superbly textured display of modern indie-rock, and “Grow Up Together” exits the listen and illustrates a dynamic rhythm section with fluid layers and a playful guitar solo, too.
Waitzman plays drums in Vulture Whale and also for Wes McDonald, and here he handles vocals, rhythm guitar and keys, and he does so with such dexterity that we can easily place him in a category with Bob Nanna, Grant Hart and Dave Grohl as musicians who came out from behind the drum kit with much success.
Travels well with: Terry Ohms- Smooth Sailing Forever; Les Nuby- Clouded