Mo Kenney THE DETAILS. Mokenney

Kenney has released two records with long-time producer and Canadian rock mentor Joel Plaskett since 2012. With her third album, she comes fully and completely into her own as an artist; she swaps her trademark acoustic guitar for a Fender Mustang, tracing her own strange, devastating, and ultimately hopeful trip through the trials and tribulations of booze-fuelled breakdowns, clouds of depression, and disintegrating relationships.

On each of its 14 tracks, Kenney confronts her annihilation and eventual redemption, leaving nothing out. Combining elements of bruising rock ‘n’ roll, vivid psychedelia, and haunting, left-of-the-dial pop, Kenney navigates the darkest waters in her life with self-deprecation, genuine soul-baring, and typical black humour. Before and during writing the album, Kenney was travelling to rock bottom: depressed with dark blues and drinking heavily, unable to hold herself or her relationships together, alienating the people she loves, and living hell-bent on oblivion. It’s a journey, thankfully, that finds Kenney sailing to calmer seas, closing gently on the sparse, clear-minded “Feelin’ Good.” But the storms weathered to get there are the kind that leaves scars. The self-destructive drive of “On The Roof” explodes out of the gate with blistering intensity. “June 3rd” channels the late Elliott Smith with spectral atmospheres as Kenney comes to terms with her alienating behaviour. And the vicious, rollicking “If You’re Not Dead” shows her playing mind games over feral guitar solos and biting hooks.

3.5/5

Jim Jones SUPER NATURAL. MaSonic/Hound Gawd! Records

SUPER NATURAL is the long awaited debut from Jim Jones and the Righteous Mind, and it’s a strong debut of 10 original songs. Fistfuls of dirty Riff’n'Roll, with a side of Voodoo and Psych. Singer/guitarist Jim Jones’s distinctive and notable musical history has spanned several incarnations including The Jim Jones Revue, Black Moses and Thee Hypnotics. Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind, the latest manifestation of Jones’s ever evolving sonic vision, is his most expansive and ambitious musical effort to date.

I have seen Jim Jones in live action and was immensely impressed. So it’s pleasing that this record sounds as though it’s a live recording. Opener ‘Dream’ has a soft opening that soon explodes into heavy blues rock with guitar, piano and chaotic, screaming vocal leading the charge. ‘Base Is Loaded’ slows the pace to a deathly march led by dominating drum rhythm and another desperate rock vocal. Melody reveals itself over the rampant noise and then a piano emerges out of the shadows with a spell of pure jazz…Yes, it’s cas crazy as hell but wholly enjoyable.

‘Something’s Gonna Get Its Hands On You’ drops the pace and showcases another fine melody with drama added by backing vocals and stuttered pace. ‘No Fool’ opens with a devastating drum rampage and eventually a screaming vocal in a song that reminds me of Rob Zombie at his best. ‘Aldecide’ reveals a more clearly defined sound with vocals that come down to a more conventional level. It’s a rhythmic monster with powerful guitar riffs punctuating background vocals.

‘Shallow Grave’ provides some breathing space with a song dominated by scattered keyboard notes and a vocal that calms dramatically and where lyrics becoming clear and comprehensible. Jim Jones is a unique UK rock package that delivers on record and live, and this record proves it.

4/5