REPETITIONS OF THE OLD CITY - II

4.5 stars. JACK O' THE CLOCK had an incredible three album run beginning with 2014's "Night Loops" followed by 2016's "Repetitions Of The Old City I" and this one 2018's "Repetitions Of The Old City II". In my opinion these three albums will tell you everything you need to know about this band led by Damon Waitkus the composer, singer and producer. We get the core seven piece band along with five guests and as usual so many instruments are involved in the making of this record. It's so unusual for a band to have it's two main group of fans come from the Folk and Avant sub genres as these two are usually far apart from one another. Damon is onto something here.

This particular album is broken really into two sections, the first five songs deal with the blizzard of '78 while the final six tracks seem to be random pieces under the sub title of "Artifacts Of Love And Isolation". In between we get the "Interlude" track called "Guru On The Road" which is different, in fact when the track ends we hear laughter and a comment about it being the wildcard and I guess it is in a sense as the stand alone piece.

I can sure relate to any music about a blizzard living here in Canada. I have so many stories but really it's being on the road in a blizzard that takes the cake. You can't possibly turn around let alone pull over but just hope and pray you don't get into an accident. I did rear end a car once that was stopped dead on the road because they couldn't see anything. Neither could I. Beyond stressful. So the music on the closer to this section "Whiteout" seems so appropriate with that haunting atmosphere and samples, but then the opener also touches on these things and it's called "Damascus Gate".

The longest track on the album is "Miracle car Wash, 1978" at over 13 1/2 minutes. It's all over the place but well done with even a jazzy section. "Island Time" I believe is sung by the female bassoon player and it is different from anything I've heard this band do. I like it, there's something about it. "Errol At Twenty- Three" is something special, the way the vocals and mandolin are so in tune with each other to start. Just a wonder really when I hear this then it becomes fuller and so interesting.

"Double Door" is two guys talking and swearing as they do. They speed up that last comment which makes me laugh every time. An avant piece for sure. Love the strings. "Unger Reminisces" reminds me of GENESIS surprisingly. Beautiful is the word. Thankyou! I was also surprised to be reminded of GENTLE GIANT to start "Into The Fireplace" then it kicks into a heavy groove with piano, vocal harmonies and the bass and drums are great too. Back to that folky violin led piece but with vocals this time. Themes are repeated. So good.

And this album is so good, darn near a five star rating but as it is I am so glad I own it. How can something that often sounds so simple be so complex. The arrangements never fail to impress when Damon Waitkus is involved. There's a reason Fred Frith goes on and on about this band.