JACK LADDER
Love Is Gone
It’s been quite a while since I last saw Sydney-based troubadour Jack Ladder play live. Then, he hunched his beanpole frame over an acoustic guitar and performed intelligent yet undeniably sober folk. So I was slightly surprised to discover this, his sophomore album, is a rather jaunty affair.
Filling out his sound with Triosk’s Ben Waples on bass and the wonderful Laurence Pike from Pivot bashing the skins, Ladder recorded Love Is Gone to tape pretty much live over just five days with minimal overdubs. Perhaps best illustrating the record’s upbeat nature is the raw pop of second track, Case Closed. With an infectious vocal melody sung over perky piano, rock ‘n’ roll guitar and harmonies, it’s certainly the jewel in this album’s crown. At the end of its three minutes, you’ll be heading straight for the repeat button. There are nice slower moments too, like when strings weave their way through the contemplative I Love Your Mind.
Ladder’s lyrics are clever and his vocal is a warm baritone with round edges which, while tugging between Cohen and Cave, also sounds ever so slightly like Antony Hegarty. While Ladder’s voice is not quite in the same class as any of these artists (but then how many people’s are?), it is certainly distinctive and intriguing.
Taking influence from early R & B, country-soul and krautrock, Love Is Gone is the sound of Jack Ladder discovering a swagger to his long-legged stride. And it’s a swagger that suits him well.
Love Is Gone
It’s been quite a while since I last saw Sydney-based troubadour Jack Ladder play live. Then, he hunched his beanpole frame over an acoustic guitar and performed intelligent yet undeniably sober folk. So I was slightly surprised to discover this, his sophomore album, is a rather jaunty affair.
Filling out his sound with Triosk’s Ben Waples on bass and the wonderful Laurence Pike from Pivot bashing the skins, Ladder recorded Love Is Gone to tape pretty much live over just five days with minimal overdubs. Perhaps best illustrating the record’s upbeat nature is the raw pop of second track, Case Closed. With an infectious vocal melody sung over perky piano, rock ‘n’ roll guitar and harmonies, it’s certainly the jewel in this album’s crown. At the end of its three minutes, you’ll be heading straight for the repeat button. There are nice slower moments too, like when strings weave their way through the contemplative I Love Your Mind.
Ladder’s lyrics are clever and his vocal is a warm baritone with round edges which, while tugging between Cohen and Cave, also sounds ever so slightly like Antony Hegarty. While Ladder’s voice is not quite in the same class as any of these artists (but then how many people’s are?), it is certainly distinctive and intriguing.
Taking influence from early R & B, country-soul and krautrock, Love Is Gone is the sound of Jack Ladder discovering a swagger to his long-legged stride. And it’s a swagger that suits him well.
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