Jane Louise Weaver is a British singer, songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. She runs her own record label off-shoot called “Bird”.
Jane Weaver has performed as part of the Britpop group Kill Laura and also the folktronica project Misty Dixon.
She issued her solo album The Silver Globe in 2014 — it featured production and contributions from David Holmes and Andy Votel plus special guest musicians.
Now Jane Weaver has released a deluxe double album edition of the masterpiece, with a mini-album (The Amber Light ) hidden inside.
We had a re-listen:
The title track is just a fragment of elf-skin pulled tight and wafer-thin across a blemished sky.
This shroud introduces us to ‘The Silver Globe’ — and it is going to be an unearthly experience… Cloudy, with silver star clouds of light… We are invited to enter into this realm as if we were new-born helium flashes.
Then we get to punchy rhythms and the rubber-band bass-play of ‘Argent’ — which will remind some listeners of Pink Floyd.
Maybe it’s all that chug and magical eloquence. The voice is radiant and refined. And so moon high that it seems almost unattainable! Luminescent,angular and high-temperature… And if you like space-rock (Hawkwind) then here’s some perfectly spaced silver-machine for you.
Though, for us — it was that sax thing. So sexy! It grabbed us and led us away into a bizarre world.
‘The Electric Mountain’ is a dazzling show. Slightly loping in manner. With an agreeable bass-purr. And it is filled with fantasy synths that turn around all the best riffs.
The main source of light, as always, is the bright voice. It is lean and ethereal. And seems to like jumping through the surfaces. This is progressive art-rock that will, almost certainly, remind you of Peter Gabriel.
‘Don’t Take My Soul’ will remind you of a visit to the fairground.
Yes, the steam-organ plays whilst the candyfloss machine spews out sugary clouds. But you also detect R&B and scratchy reggae influences from the side-shows nearby.
And, as for the voice, well it’s higher than you can possibly imagine. It pierces the skin accurately. With pin-prick acuteness.
Amazingly thin and incredibly intricate, this track requires repeated listening and will probably be the best progressive rock you have heard all year.
Another ultra-strong number from this album is ‘Mission Desire.’
Weaver manages to step down from that high-altitude high-wire vocalization we have become used to, and instead trusts in more conventional and rusty-raw pitches that remind us of Annie Haslam (Renaissance rock band) in eloquent passion and dramatic expression.
Here is some stunning new progressive rock. Infused with stylish downtempo electronica (reminding us of Portishead) and and smoothly experimental synth-pop (reminding us of Stereolab.)
Psychedelic and modern. Yet gleaming with evocative inklings and adoring, yearning glories.
Words: @neilmach 2015 ©
Link: https://www.facebook.com/janeweavermusic
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