"What
About Christmas?" (vibro-phonic recordings)
Like
the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Love before them, The
Jigsaw Seen thrives on pushing boundaries.
Together for nearly ten years, the Southern California band pens colorful lyrics
and papers their music with a wide array of instruments. Not only are their
original songs fascinating, but their choice of covers also tend to be unique,
as they've rendered everybody from Tony Bennett to the Pretty Things. The latest
effort from the Jigsaw Seen is a five track EP called "What About
Christmas?" There are two different takes of the title cut. One is an
electric version that swells with perfectly plush production tactics and the
moaning sound of a mellotron. The other recording of "What About
Christmas?" is acoustic based, and is equally compelling in its stripped
down format. A dark edge penetrates the number as it explodes with naked
emotions. The three remaining cuts on the album are live treatments of the
Velvet Underground's slow and spooky "Jesus," the intensely brooding
"First Of May" by the Bee Gees and "Sleigh Ride," a shaking
and baking Ventures instrumental. The
Jigsaw Seen are experts at blending psychedelic textures with massive pop hooks.
Complex structures, paired with radiant choruses additionally characterize the
band's novel vision. Beverly Paterson