It’s very rare these days that I review and independent release. It’s even rarer that I review something that is available for free on the internet, as I consider my job to be to help our readers determine whether or not they might appreciate albums they are planning to spend their hard-earned money on. Jerome Wincek & the Old Hats are too good to not pass on to you- our readers- who are constantly seeking out something new and different and interesting.
The Revelator is a series of three individual EP’s that tell the story of a man and a woman who meet after the “apocalypse/second coming/Jesus’ return/end of the world” or whatever other title you may choose to bestow upon it. This EP, the first in the series, tells the story of the man and woman meeting, their struggle to determine why they were left behind, whether or not they can trust each other, and what might be next.
To call this EP musically and lyrically intense would be a big understatement. For example, I might cite the haunting piano and kind of traditional Western meets Surf Rock style guitar work of “When Trouble Comes” or the mesmerizing drum loops and melodies in songs like “Another Sun” (my personal favorite track) and the absolutely brilliant “So The Lady” as ample evidence of what I’m talking about but it’s best if you just hear it for yourself and bask in its intensity. The only weak spot here is the EP’s final moment, “The Evil Hootenanny” that tries its damndest to blend Western Swing, Electronica, and Bluegrass but falls just shy of the mark as it never really comes together as a complete sounding piece. Despite that slight detour (and the fact that it was a valiant effort), the rest of this EP is flawless. Its sounds new, fresh, and different yet strikingly traditional and familiar at the same time.
Jerome Wincek is probably one of the most honest sounding musicians you will ever hear. The rawness of his music and his keen ear for melodies are unlike any other artist I have ever heard (and as a music journalist for the last 14 years, I have literally heard thousands of artists). Don’t take my word for it though; go download it for free at the above link.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
