Jack Cade cuts a fuller sound on his latest album carving a deeper niche in the UK independent music scene. A thoughtful stare from the sketched portrait on the cover coupled with a title leading down a route of curiosity sets the scene before the evocative baritone vocals and overarching sound creates a foothold. A smart rule for despatching a record into a crowded listening space is to fire the first barrage with your strongest hand. As appealing as the summative listen to BEWILDERLAND is, lead track 'Change Your Condition' reigns supreme over its counterparts to the extent of potentially becoming a signature song for both artist and any realm infiltrated. A strong structure yields a sincere message delivered in the vein of Johnny Cash wandering into a Spaghetti Western set.
Heavy twang tightens further when the pedal eases on second track 'Roll Them Dice'. By now the die is cast and Cade's voice has either wooed disciples or shaken off limp ears. We then enter a faster paced indie-gothic phase in 'The Faster You Run' where additional lighter backing vocals add a deft touch to the powerful aura. You could envisage swirling dry ice smothering the protagonist in 'Little Secret', an intended, or not, themed association primed for sparking the imagination. 'The Glitter Around the Eyes' slows things down at the midpoint with Cade widening the soundscape with vibes aligned more in an Americana direction, albeit in the darker corners where hope battles hard.
BEWILDERLAND is the fourth record from this south coast-based singer-songwriter-musician and significantly builds on the impact of its predecessor THE DEATH THROES OF A JADED EMPIRE, which opened new doors for Cade. The theme grapples with life's afflictions proving once again fertile song writing rises to the surface in murky pools of pontificated reflection.
An intro with a sombre beat joined by an increased cello presence heralds the second half with the duet vocals of Helen Muggeridge adding a folk music tinge to the stratospheric leaning 'Where the Sun Meets the Moon'. We are in deep excavation territory now. Suddenly the switch is flicked and a new bout of energy bursts through with the bellowing tones of the electric-fuelled 'Love Will Burn All Down' reigniting procedures. 'Heal Me (Everything Ain't Alright)' is another delve into the subterranean world of indie-goth and Americana misfits. Addictive qualities spill into the listening sphere to add impact to a record not short of pulsating lure. 'Rocking Horse Blues' seeps into your senses as one of the more memorable compositions while heading towards the end with acres of melodic high octane twang. A optimistic conclusion holds out an olive branch to the next Jack Cade outing. 'Keep Believing' echoes the wise words of a song writing sage brushed down and ready to maintain the fight. The vocals finally temper at the fade out leaving a bold calling card.
Jack Cade tosses a potent record into the mix for willing takers. BEWILDERLAND broods in places while never losing sight that owning the moment with a powerful swirling sound can be a winning formula. From a spectacularly launched opener, momentum takes hold and delivers a substantive, sonically graphic album.
