Red Jacket Mine - Someone Else's Cake

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Red Jacket Mine –Someone Else’s Cake
2013, Fin RecordsRed Jacket Mine is a product of disparate influences.  The Seattle based quartet hails from a cityknown for Garage Rock, Grunge and Rap, but Red Jacket Mine is crafting their ownSeattle Sound.  With lead vocalist andsongwriter Lincoln Barr calling on his Memphis roots, Red Jacket Mine walks theline between blues, soul, country and good old classic rock and roll.  The result is familiar yet fresh, full ofcatchy pop hooks and a whole lot of charm. Red Jacket Mine brings it all together on their fourth album, Someone Else’s Cake, due out February13, 2013.

Red Jacket Mine takes off with the delicious, synth-drivenpop/rock of “Amy”.  Infectious hooks ands sneaky-catchy chorus make this one a charmer and a great opening track.  “Nickel & Dine” is a catchy Americanarocker that sounds like a cross between Elvis Costello and Blue Rodeo.  Red Jacket Mine builds a wonderfully catchyvibe here while discussing the human tendency to tear down anything that worksand the clash between optimism and pessimism. “Ron Nasty” is a bit generic, but “Engineer” rocks with a bluesyattitude.  This is one of those tunes youjust can’t sit still for, and vocalist Lincoln Barr is in particularly fineform here.“Skint City” has a more melancholy feel, and carries a vocalharmony that’s reminiscent of a 1970’s Eagles record.  It’s a solid album track with a quiet swingthat’s easy on the ears.  “Listen Up (If theWorld Is Going to Hell)” pays homage to 1970’s R&B and pop styles.  Barr sounds a bit strained in small momentshere, but it’s a solid effort overall. “Novelty’s Gone” walks the line between gentle rock and country, relyingon a metronomic rhythm to drive a maudlin number about the reality of arelationship setting in.  There’s a rotefeel to this tune that carries over to the tacitly soulful “Better To Be BrokenThan Blind”.  Both tunes are solidenough, but just don’t carry much energy or conviction.

Red Jacket Mine comes fully awake for “Someone Else’s Cake”,a catchy kiss-off song of sorts.  There’sa delicious edge to this number that underscores the Americana/Countrysound.  “Have You Got A Permit To PreachOn This Corner” has more of a classic country sound, and takes to task someonewho professes their beliefs publicly. Red Jacket Mine closes with the catchy rocker “Bellar & Bawl”.  An R&B backbeat drives the song,alongside an early rock & roll piano style and a band that is clicking onall eight cylinders.  This is the perfectclose to the album, and a perfect song to close shows with as well.Red Jacket Mine certainly knows how to kick things into highgear when they want to, but SomeoneElse’s Cake shows a supple understanding of song craft that while notalways perfect in fruition, displays a distinctive understanding of melody,song structure and inspiration.  Someone Else’s Cake is a complex albumthat finds lead singer/songwriter Lincoln Barr negotiating with his own variedmusical influences with varying degrees of success.  It’s an intriguing listen from a band whopromises to keep growing and getting better with age.

Rating:  3.5 Stars (Out of 5)Learn more at www.redjacketmine.net.