Editor’s Pick: Jimmy Kane – Hear No Evil

The evolution of the songwriter has been an interesting journey if you sit down and think about it. If you look back several decades and think of prolific songwriters like a James Taylor, you knew what you were going to get with each single and album. While there was experimentation for some, the majority stayed in their neat little “genre box.”

For Jimmy Kane, there is no box. There are no restraints of any kind. There is only musical possibility. With his most recent release, Hear No Evil, the listener is given a gift of six tracks, all quite different; all highlighting the talents of a gifted musician and songwriter.

Born in London, but raised on Los Angeles, Kane displays his restlessness with being tied down to anything. He wrote, recorded and produced the album while also playing every instrument. This is no small task, as the level of musicianship is above average on all counts to say the least. Considering he states that his other loves in life are traveling and photography, where there’s “nothing more satisfying than waking up in a different city every day, seeing new sights and meeting new people, and immersing yourself in a culture that is completely foreign to your own;” it shouldn’t be too surprising.

Kane’s vocals are reminiscent of Liam Gallagher of Oasis, and there are some Beatle/Oasis-esque references throughout Hear No Evil. You can hear it in the play of the piano in the opening track, “The Road To Jericho.” The guitar work plays to brother Noel and works off the keys in a sweet way. Add the layered harmonies on this upbeat track and you have the makings of a top notch track.

“A Blues Train A Comin Blues” is a straight forward Blues/Rock song in every way. Joe Walsh comes to mind with this track in both the vocal style and guitar work. “Four Leaf Clover” is the pop song a band like Train wishes they could make. The mandolin brings wonderful texture to this track that feels like Brit-pop tune. The juxtaposition between the upbeat feel of the music compared to lyrics like “all our chances for better days are over,” create an interesting contrast.

“Farewell Shanghai” is one of those songs you would expect to hear around an old campfire with the yearning violin (fiddle?) and harmonica and heartfelt lyrics. “When The World Gets You Down” may be the strongest track on the album and features uplifting lyrics, vivid textures with multiple vocal tracks, strings, piano and strong percussion carrying the whole backline. This is one of those songs that need to be heard multiple times to catch all the subtle nuances, but one thing is certain. It is a damn good track.

The final track, “Insect Politics,” may be the most difficult to peg. It’s a darker, harder-edged tune played in a minor key with multi-cultural influences. The lyrics are heavier, accompanied by a military parade like drum sequence. When you pull the lyrics together with the stark instrumentation, it paints quite a picture.

There is no question that Jimmy Kane is talented, both as a lyricist and a musician. As the concept of the “songwriter” continues to evolve, Kane makes quite a case for what it takes these days and should be recognized for it.

Album Name: Hear No Evil
Release Date: September 2011
Genre: Folk Rock
Members: Jimmy Kane
Label: OMC Records
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*** Editor’s Note: The attached video is from a previous release and not available on Hear No Evil. If you like it, go get that release too. ***