Jesse Macht in a Suitcase

The interlaced melodies of singer-songwriter Jesse Macht are brimming with passion, vulnerability, empathy and honesty.

The artist was born and raised in Los Angeles and is releasing his second album, “Suitcase Heart” in September, produced by Justin Tockett (Marc Broussard, Eli Teplin) and recorded at Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Studios in Nashville and Dockside Studios in Lafayette.

The album explores the idea that we carry our hearts full of the stories of our lives, and that we must constantly choose how and with whom we will share the value of what is inside.

The album starts with ‘Broken Faith’ with sighs of guitar provoking a light-filled, whitewashed skyfull of luminous emptiness. Jesse’s voice is smooth and precise. The high notes escape beautifully – like a hawk rising to the bait.

‘Suitcase Heart’ (the single) is beautifully ruffled, pinnate and has a helical thrust to it. The sugar-crystal clear voice is feeling happy on this one – and will give your day a boost. But, the song still retains a hidden sense of sadness and loss too.

‘How We Break It’ has an exciting golden layer of guitar. But it ponders a bit for our tastes, though.

‘Bound To Be Exposed’ has a slinky body. It does not seem to be about dominance and submission (as we first thought …)

‘Nothing Wrong With A Little Rain’  is one of our favourite songs on this contagious album. There is something definitely “I Am the Walrus” about it … a clutter-box rhythm and a slender keyboard flirts with the melody. The vocals are clear and deft. And, throughout the piece, the listener is provided with a sense of sparkling oompah-oompah fun.

The album concludes with ‘There’s Always Two’ which reminds us “Lily of the Valley” by Freddie Mercury. Yes, it has a Western touch to it, but it is a bar-room ballad. Slow and flashy.

This is an interesting album, not as hillbilly as you might assume.

Jesse’s voice is extraordinary. He is not American outlaw or a gunslinger gone bad – just an honest man – with a good heart – who wants to sing you his songs.

So, perhaps, the tracks here do not bite deep into your acid soul … or possess that ever-necessary bitterness. That sharpness and saltiness might be missing. You be the judge.

@neilmach © 2014

Link:

https://www.facebook.com/jessemachtmusic

 
 

http://youtu.be/VC-yAH5cwoo