SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JAGUAR 777 – JAGUAR 777

JAGUAR 777
JAGUAR 777
ELEVENTH HOUR RECORDING CO.

Jaguar 777 is a Cleveland-based duo consisting of Kacie Marie and Emmett O’Connor. Jaguar 777 is their debut album, and it is an impressive debut. It is more cinematic than it is a standard rock album. Their voices blend together to form a very unique sound that, at times, harkens to different eras. In many regards their music is a cross between Nick Cave and Angelo Badalamenti, which certainly makes for interesting listening. Add in some fine twang guitars and layered vocals, and you have Jaguar 777.

The overall album is dark. Marie answers O’Connor’s crooning with her own range of styles. O’Connor can belt out the songs too, but together they sound almost otherworldly. A song, such as “Leave You Blue,” has a very atmospheric, dark sound that would not be out of place in a 1940’s film noir. Elsewhere they surprise you with the creepy instrumental “The Flying Cowboy Rides Again.” It sounds like The Ventures are having a very bad day, and it fits perfectly among the heavy organ sound found throughout other songs on the album.

Songs such as “Midwest Promo Man” have a slowed down Cramps vibe with very eerie production (including otherworldly backing vocals from Marie). “Velvet On The Razor’s Edge” features retro keyboards that bring to mind “Warm Leatherette” by Daniel Miller’s The Normal, but then, Jaguar 777 throws in a lot of twists and turns, making the sound distinctly their own. Or a song such as “Gates” that features some very fine organ throughout, and the layered vocals are pure heaven. It is one of the highlights of the album.

Then, just as quickly they switch gears for the rocking, bordering grunge “Collinwood Yard,” a song that is relentless. O’Connor’s barking vocals make the song complete and demonstrates the different avenues and streets this band can travel. The album comes to a close with the aptly titled “End Credits,” an incredible ethereal track that brings everything to a close. As the song played, I reflected back on the previous 14 tracks, and I realised that the album is very cinematic lyrically and musically.

Jaguar 777 is an impressive debut album. Yes, a number of the songs had been previously released as singles, but everything pulled together to create the album shows just how cohesive and well thought out these songs were and the amount of detail and attention paid to each song. The duo create a brilliant sound that although is influenced by other artists, is clearly their own. Jaguar 777 is much more complex than initial listens would suggest. It is a multi-layered album, both musically and lyrically. It is an album that should be listened to a number of times before making any assessments of the music.

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