Time waits for no one, as Dublin’s self-styled ‘prog rock gargantua’ The Jimmy Cake can surely attest to. The nine member collective have endured five long frustrating years since their last album Dublin Gone, Everybody Dead. It would seem life, and all it’s trials and tribulations have been conspiring against the Cake. The destabilising effect of changes to their lineup, in the form of departures and arrivals, not to mention the pressures of work, careers, relationships, money, and time, have all managed to delay, but failed to deter the 18-legged behemoth. Thankfully, it has been worth the wait, as Spectre and Crown is easily their finest release to date. From the opening piano chord of Red Tony, to the final note of Last Breath, The Jimmy Cake hardly put a foot wrong. Despite the numerous barriers and inner turmoil endured, Spectre and Crown appears defiantly upbeat and positive. Jetta’s Palace is glorious instrumental pop music, driven by hammered piano, a pulsing rhythm section, and infectious brass hooks. Nuberu is a three minute sonic experiment, as multitudes of unidentifiable instruments interweave to create a thick, layered wall of sound, culminating in a beautiful, intense climax. Throughout the album, the listener is treated to an exceptional level of accomplished musicianship, with equal participation and proficiency from all nine members it would seem. One can only imagine the difficulties that must arise when trying to distill the ideas and influences of nine very different musicians into one cohesive piece of music. Not only that, the standard of composition, pristine production, and beautiful artwork and packaging, also belies the very fact that this is a completely self-financed, self-released record. The Art of Wrecking is a beautiful three part symphony of falling rain, strings, and interference, blended together seamlessly, unifying three very distinct moods. It remains for Hugs for Buddy (with its Can-esque pounding drums) to deliver one final burst of energy, before the contemplative piano solo of Last Breath resolves everything that has gone before it. Welcome back The Jimmy Cake, you’ve been sorely missed.
See Also: The entire Jimmy Cake back catalogue – worth investing in.
Listen – http://www.myspace.com/thejimmycake
