J Burn

J Burn is a renaissance man – add keen photographer, activist and, perhaps most atypically for a rocker, gardener to his bulging resume, though, considering he hails from the once very libertarian San Francisco Bay Area and his name is a euphemism for smoking drugs, one wonders just what he has sprouting from the soil of his allotment.

Backed up by contributions from key figures in the rock industry and produced at the world-renowned TRI Studios, J Burn blooms us his earthy four-track album, ‘Burnt Blue’ which is a grower that evokes stark comparisons to The Grateful Dead.

Whether purposely or inadvertently respectful of his love of agriculture, there’s a very pastoral and agricultural texture to his appreciation of Americana. I know that I maybe overuse the word ‘quintessential’ but let’s call a spade, a spade – ‘Burnt Blue’ is quintessential Country music. Have a discussion with anyone about the images that are conjured up when one thinks of Country music and I’d wager ‘Freight Train’ and ‘Memory Lane’ would be two of the more frequent phrases that arise. J Burn doesn’t disappoint delivering cookie cutter country that is stereotypically unassuming.

This isn’t a hybrid attempt either. J Burn and his associates are going for a full-on classic experience with songs that recount memories as far back as “the golden days” of J’s misspent youth.

It’s so quaintly rarified with its plucky banjo and two-step percussion. The plainness of the compositions and lyricism mean ‘Burnt Blue’ isn’t a cerebral listen – it’s something to relax to which is an attribute that is very typical of the genre.

‘Old Time Heroes’ tries something marginally different infusing piano that’s midway between jazz and honky tonk and an almost one-drop rhythm, reggae type beat.

But ‘Our Song Shared’ returns to that accomplished comfort zone of sliding violins and mandolins. It becomes a little tiresome treading the same nostalgic footpath but the subtle musical changes keep the album relatively entertaining, particularly if you’re not willing to let the genre evolve without a fight.

Despite the album’s wistful content, it’s not overly-homesick, regretful content, at least not in tempo and tone. J Burn has just about managed to find a happy medium between twee and tasteful that keeps the material interesting.

Do check this one out, just don’t expect innovation. Just respect an artist who has accomplished an ‘Americana for Dummies’ outing and stuck to what he does best.