TIJ – Gig Economy (Album – Candy Bomber Music / Seja Records)
Genre/Influences: Psychedelic, dark-rock, experimental, krautrock, chanson.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: TIJ (The Inconsistent Jukebox) is a project driven by Barry Snaith who’s also involved with m1nk (signed on Seja Records). “Gig Economy” is his solo-debut although he got considerable help and input from guest musicians –mainly his m1nk mates.
Content: m1nk is already something weird –and this is not meant as being negative, but TIJ moves even a step further. It simply is impossible defining the sound of this project, which rather sounds as a sonic melting pot. The opener of the album is mixing psychedelic elements together with some krautrock while the next track comes closer to dark-rock and the next one as a chanson experiment. The songs are clearly filled with a part of dark reverie, the sphere being an essential element of the work. The vocals have something sensual and are perfectly matching with the composition. Electronics and guitar play have been merged together, which I think creates this eclectic approach you can’t totally put your finger on.
+ + + : The main common element with m1nk is the originality of the project. TIJ doesn’t care about established music genres or trendy styles. It all comes from a creative spirit and resulted in a few noticeable songs. I especially like the ‘chanson’-approach running through “Sing Me Something Sinister” and “Let Me In A Dream”, but there’s also something to say about the more rock orientated “A Puppet Pulling Strings”. The sphere hanging over the songs has something particular. But one of the main strengths might be the production of the vocals, which has something sensual and bewitching.
– – – : This album remains something really apart and that’s probably what makes the difficulty and the challenge to reach a wider audience.
Conclusion: TIJ is a project that will appeal to open-minded music lovers and for those who’re thinking out of the box. I can’t say to be totally conquered, but it’s an original work!
Best songs: “Sing Me Something Sinister”, “A Puppet Pulling Strings”.
Rate: (6).
Artist: www.facebook.com/TIJmusic
Label: www.seja.nl / www.facebook.com/sejarecords
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
