Music Review

03 December 2008 06:24 BST

Jacob Golden: Revenge Songs

Sawtooth Recordings/Chrysalis Music, out now.

In a nutshell...

Precious. Emotive. Haunting. Excellent.

What's it all about?

Sophomore album featuring 11 confessional indie-pop songs of love, life, politics and loss recorded in wonderous lo-fi acoustic.

Who's it by?

California's Jacob Golden first arrived in London as the lead singer of Birthday, who were released an EP with Rough Trade before disbanding. After a brief period of disillusionment with the music industry and a move to Portland, Oregon, Golden has since recaptured his passion of music as a solo singer/songwriter playing wherever and to whoever will hear his songs, including several gigs in fans' living rooms. He also had the honour of being the only unsigned artist to have a song featured in the last episode of quintessential Californian teen drama The OC, a show that has helped launch a number of bands, including Phantom Planet.

As an example...

"When the church of new song came and my headphones lifted me up again buzzing on the radiation of my secret radio station." - Church of New Song

"I can't feel or touch the end are there no really ends maybe I'm just looking for myself in all my friends." - Pretend

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

Not a chance (although if he does receive a nomination it would be entirely justified). Although the praise he's receiving from both the music press and Seth Cohen-style fans mean he has a fair chance of making it in a number of 2007's top records features.

What the others say

"Arguably the work of the greatest singer songwriter of the current generation." - Clash Magazine

"Jacob Golden is undoubtedly one of the good guys." - NME

So is it any good?

A direct answer to this question would be no. Revenge Songs far exceeds the definition of good and is simply majestic. A combination of Simon & Garfunkel and a slightly deeper-voiced Elliott Smith, Jacob Golden produces a dazzling body of honest work which doesn't follow trends, haircuts and sounds purported by the mainstream record industry and instead comes from that all too rare a place heard these days - the heart. On a Saturday recalls Golden's simple joy of watching pretty girls while in Soho Square, while Shine a Light and Revenge Song have a sense of visceral anger as he comes to terms with previous struggles both professionally and personally. Meanwhile, Pretend has strong elements of the sitar, and I'm Your Man stands out the strongest in terms of lyricism.

If there is any complaint to be had - and it is a slight one at that - is that the record can seemingly drift into one, admittedly beautiful, piece of music and before you know it you're pressing play again. An occasional upwards change in tempo perhaps wouldn't go amiss either. But these gripes are minor, the minimal production on this record gives such a personal tone it feels as if Golden is actually playing in your living room or bedroom.

Back that up with the fact Golden has just completed his fifth UK tour of this year - hitting the road with the likes of Jonah Matranga, the Kissaways Trails and Frank Turner - Revenge Songs represents not only a singer with incredible talent but also one with an astounding work ethic. So much so that the likes of The Shins and Conor Oberst's Bright Eyes may find their hold on indie kids hearts begin to loosen. Oh and did I mention the record's excellent title?

A strong contender for artist and album of the year.

9/10

Ashley King

For a free download of Jacob Golden's Hold Your Hair Back, click here.