Faith In Jane – Axe to Oak

 

 

Faith In Jane – Axe to Oak
Grimoire Records - 2022
Rock, Hard, Stoner, Doom, Southern, Blues
Rated: *****

Second track She Moved Through The Fair, immediately throws you a curveball and has you listening to an old Keltic tale, a traditional Irish folk song, performed by many greats before the Thurmont, Maryland three decide to record their version. Daring perhaps, to put this track so early on the album, cause the swing and groove of the opener, that had you envisioning trekking along, moving forward through the forest peaks of Catoctin Mountain Park, is substituted by those views of an old carnival and foggy Irish moors. I always dug whatever Faith In Jane decided to put out into the world, but only ever mentioned their 2020 Mother To Earth release. Opening their new album Axe To Oak with an amazing, very strong Whisky Mountain Breakdown, you immediately get the idea where the band is coming from and where they will be heading, and perhaps they wanted to quell your expectations with that second track. Either way, ballsy. Love the vocals by Dan Mize, although he might make more careful or sparse use of his tonal endings of certain words, it’s cool, it’s works, but use it too often and it will turn it into a pastiche or gimmick. Enter Her Light, the third track, with its incredibly soulful guitarwork, that dragging drum almost reluctantly pushing you forward together with that mighty bass work showing you how  Faith In Jane can take flight on the magic wings of chemistry. How the three seem to perfectly understand each other is underlined once again with the fourth more bluesy rocker Heavy Drinker. That rough edge, that southern touch; easily convincing the listener of how gifted all three musicians are. Two and half minute long instrumental interlude How Many Ships Sail in the Forest? has you bobbing along a warm bath of reverb; enchanting and mysterious, the track seems to serve as a comfortable middle point to move to title track Axe To Oak. A more metallic take on what came before, more nineties alternative and grunge, but still highly soulful and so silky how all that raw and roughness is executed with fine brush strokes. Final track The Seeker continues in this vein, and cements their lauded craftmanship, their knack for restrained power. Axe To Oak is classy, soulful and we should roll out the red carpet for  Faith In Jane everywhere…

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Grimoire Records Bandcamp