Anyone familiar with David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest will know that this epic novel takes the reader down the rabbit hole into a world which is recognizable as our own but which is viewed without an obvious filter thus laying bare all the foibles and failings of mankind. Jack Cheshire names this work as one of the influences while writing this, his fourth album.
Cheshire took a highly disciplined approach to its composition, working office hours in complete isolation and says: "My songs are about the human condition as it relates to the static in my head".
Like DFW's magnum opus, the resulting record defies easy categorization or synthesis. Post-modern dream pop might be a good label.
It's certainly not an album can be decoded on one hearing; or maybe ever! The tracks invite the listener to go with the flow as the lyrics follow a logic of their own design.
Cheshire is backed by his loyal collaborators: David Pearson (guitar), Jon Scott (drums) and Andrea Di Biase (double bass). In the opening track (Visitations) there is a reference to <>"serpentine melodies" and this is precisely what they weave.
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The spiraling web of words and music combine to hallucinogenic effect and hint at the tricks the mind can play "right before your very eyes" (Nerve).
Cheshire deals in false modesty on Join The Dots when he sings "your mind is elastic but mine is a stone".
In reality you could criticize him for being too head-bound but it all makes for a fascinating , multi-faceted listen.
Jack Cheshire's website
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