THE WARM, DARK CIRCUS

Lets start with the album cover a painting done by Albrecht Durer back in 1515, in fact there's a song on here called "Durer's Rhinoceros" at 13 minutes. Just a beautiful picture and very similar in colour and in tone to the cover art on JORDSJO's latest "Salighet'. I've had these two cds sitting beside each other a lot. And with both bands I feel they've just created their best work with their latest records in 2023. JACK O' THE CLOCK's previous record "Leaving California" is the first by this band to disappoint me, so much good stuff on there but the new directions they took mostly didn't work for my tastes. Damon Waitkus the band's leader literally moved out of California to a different state while working on it.

"The Warm, Dark Circus" is a return to form and then some. Back to having double digit guests helping out and while they did try some more new things once again like they did on the previous record, it all works for me this time. My kind of album lyrically as I have Anxiety and other issues and this is about dealing with the anxieties and possibilities of the moment, the present. They mention that they range through some of the weirdist and heaviest stuff they've done yet. And how about the two track attack of "How Are We Doing..." and "...Who Will Tell Us?" two tracks that have been around since the start of the band, and they have finally put the final touches on them refining them and experimenting with them over many years.

This music is so over my head and there are so many sounds, a ton of instruments in play and that's just Damon(haha). His buddy Ben Spees from their band THE MERCURY TREE adds some microtonal guitar on one track which was cool. Nine tracks and all deserve a word or two but I want to talk about some of my favourites. The opener "The Ladder Slipped" shows why I believe Damon is the best song writer around these days. He is a story teller. The lyrics here and elsewhere are meaningful, witty and simply on another level when compared to most bands. Banjo hits us first then the brilliant lyrics. So many amazing ideas on this album and with this opener. I was gushing listening to this while writing notes. Come on!

Really it's between this song and "This Is Just What It Seems" and both are incredible lyrically. This one is more stripped down with guitar, bowed bass, harmonica, steel pedal and vocals. Love how his voice quivers on this one. Emotion here. I mentioned the old duo of songs earlier that combined are worth well over 20 minutes. The second part is more experimental although we have that on the first part too and the way that second one ends with the vocals quivering "I'll be back soon" is moving. Some power on the first part too with bass clarinet and sax helping with that.

I have to mention "Division Blues" with Ben Spees on it because this is out of character for the band, a bluesy and powerful track with attitude. So catchy too. Baritone guitar leads with baritone sax and violin but yeah once again great lyrics and this one is a lot fun. The title of this album comes from a line from the song "Stuck Inside Of Elvis". Quite a bit of bassoon in this one. "Durer's Rhinoceros" also has it's share of bassoon but this 13 minute track is a ride. Haunting, uplifting, emotional, experimental yes just another JACK O' THE CLOCK song really. The way Damon arranges music is bordering on genius.

My new favourite album from this band just ahead of "Night Loops" and those two "Repetitions Of The Old City" records. A top ten for 2023. A beautiful package overall and well worth the purchase to have the physical.