SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JERRY LEGER – WAVES OF DESIRE

JERRY LEGER
WAVES OF DESIRE
DEVILDUCK RECORDS

Toronto-based roots singer-songwriter Jerry Leger has scored another winner with Waves Of Desire, his latest studio album. Leger consistently rates highly in our reviews, and we at Spill have been extolling his virtues, talents, and accomplishments for a long time — and with good reason. He regularly releases new music and is one of those artists who seems to be constantly on the lookout for ways to make his career interesting, both for himself and for his fans.

Waves Of Desire was recorded in Cologne, Germany, while Leger and his band were taking a break from touring. With the German artists Suzan Köcher (vocals) and Julian Müller (guitar), joining Jerry Leger and The Situation (bassist Dan Mock, drummer Kyle Sullivan, and keyboardist Alan Zemaitis), all hands assembled to record in the 1950s-era Maarweg Studios.

The product of their efforts is an album so varied that it just might please everyone. The jangle pop guitar of the first track, “Alcatraz,” starts things off strong. It is pure Leger, and it is also pure pop. With a 1960s throwback feel, and some sweet organ from Zemaitis and harmonies from Köcher, this song starts the album off right. In second spot is the single, “It’s So Strange,” a song which features a cool slide guitar and an overall feel that evokes early ’70s CanCon.

Despite the fact that the songs on Waves Of Desire are quite different one from the other, they all work very well together. From the over-the-top pop of the title track to the mid-tempo minor key rocker “Calling A Bluff,” or the Dylanesque “You Don’t Have To Stay Long,” Leger and company are in fine form, and they hit a lot of high points here. It is easy to spot Leger’s influences, and he acknowledges them proudly. That said though, we see in Leger a strong veteran songwriter at the top of his game.

Jerry Leger is celebrating his 20th anniversary in music, and Waves Of Desire is a meaningful milestone for him. It is a true portrait of an artist who is a relentless, passionate creator, living in service to the song. I strongly recommend this album to new fans and old.

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