Guitar string empresario by day and psyche pop guitarist and lyricist extraordinaire by night. Rotosound’s Jason How excels himself once again with, unbelievably, an album which is apparently made up of songs which didn’t make the cut for previous albums. The outcome is a remarkable collection of songs that feel like they were made to be together, and any right minded band would be proud of.
The majority of the songs on the album are exactly what you would expect, and want, from a Jason How record. Powerfully perfect psyche pop melodies coupled with his usual selection of razor sharp observations and biting criticism, sitting perfectly alongside his emotive human interest tales.
The album opens in style as Race For Life has him beef up his pop sound, with solid rhythmic guitars and a thumping drum beat channelling his punkier side. Order of the British Empire is a many barbed scathing dig at “obscene” glory seekers. Mind you, if I was to receive a trenchant dressing down from anyone, let it be from Jason How, he does it in such a gloriously eloquent style.
Exceptionally Emotional Arrangement
The acerbic lyrics of Renegade are delivered paired with a beautiful mandolin melody to give it an Automatic for the People era REM feel crossed with Heart. Underground Sally is full of 80’s indie imagery which any music fan will relate to, evoking memories of spinning vinyl and making mixtapes “45 minutes in each side”. Talking of evocative, you can’t get much more so than through his lyrics on the magnificent South Downs Bus Depot. Perhaps the pinnacle of this collection of striking songs, the superb visualisation within the song is paired with an exceptionally emotional arrangement.
You could do a lot worse than check out this album and his noteable back catalogue. Your ears, and soul, will thank you. And you can thank me later.
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