Jupiter
in Velvet - In2 the Arms of Love
Jupiter
in Velvet writes songs, sings, and plays like a man who has been alive with
creativity since he first turned his attention to music. The ten songs on his
latest album In2 the Arms of Love mixes up a lot of guitar oriented textures
with physically gripping tempos and a generous sampling of modern technology
that comes together to make an enormous impact on the audience. The impact
isn’t entirely derived from his musical content. Much of it, as well, comes
from the unusual qualities of his lyrics. Jupiter in Velvet embraces humanism,
above all else, and it’s filtered through a distinctive post modern hippiedom
deeply connected to his musical vision. These are songs that seek unity with
the audience along with a license to entertain them as much as possible. By any
measure, Jupiter in Velvet’s In2 the Arms of Love is a resounding success.
“In2
the Arms of Love” grabs listeners early. This is an infectious pop rock number
capable of sweeping any audience along – this is music that, despite his
idiosyncratic nature, cuts across all typical lines of musical preference. He
has a sharp ear for crafting memorable guitar riffs and this is one of the best
on the album. There’s an automated, industrialized quality to the guitar
riffing on “’Till the End of the World” and the rhythm section doubles it to
impressive effect. Song after song, Jupiter in Velvet brings the full force of
his vocal abilities to bear in an effort to give the songs a dramatic and
riveting interpretation. There isn’t a single instance on this album of him
failing to do so and the album’s second track, in particular, receives a
stunning singing performance. “I’m So ready” finds himself relying less on any
sort of discernible finesse and more on pure lung muscle. He barrels through
the straight-forward musical and vocal attack of this performance, but it never
abandons style entirely. He latches onto the lean vocal melody from the first
line and gives this song the same unique spin defining his other work.
“How
It’s Gonna Be” is much more orchestrated fare, at least overtly so, than many
of the other numbers on in2 the Arms of Love. It intersperses forbidding
flashes of electric guitar through a predominantly acoustic guitar attack and
the rhythm section, once again, does an outstanding job of supporting the top
line melodic instruments. Pop leanings play a much bigger role on songs like
“Supercharged” and “Nowhere 2 Run”, albeit in very different ways. The first
song goes more to the high octane punk pop stomp of other tracks on In2 the
Arms of Love, with a focus on a strong chorus, while the second of the two
songs is cut from a much more playful, retro sounding cloth. “Mars Ain’t that
Far” has some more playfulness in it, a quality missing from the earlier half
of the album, but it also possesses a romping energy that makes it an enjoyable
ride from the start. The conclusion of In2 the Arms of Love is another guitar
workout with a pop edge, “Walking Thru Time”, that returns us for a final time
to some themes central to Jupiter in Velvet’s songwriting. Personal voyages of
one sort or another encompass this work but the artist works tirelessly to get
those experience over with his audience. It’s a winner through and through.
Raymond
Burris
This review is Great!!
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