Description
Regions is an album by the American alternative rock band Jacobstone, self-released in 2002. (It is essentially two albums on one CD; a four-song EP of new Jacobstone material and an eleven-song primarily instrumental ambient album, and the title could be referring to these separate regions of the disc.) The bulk of the work (tracks 5-15) is the soundtrack for the travelling exhibition “In a Field of Poppies” and how that deals with some of the negative things about warring factions in certain regions. Tracks 1-4 were recorded by Aaron Shannon assisted by Abraham Burson at Quad Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with Shannon and the band producing. Additional recordings done at Z Space in Nashville. Mixed by Shannon at Quad Studios. Tracks 5-15 (from “In a Field of Poppies”) were recorded by Matt Spransy of Servant fame assisted by Abraham Burson at Insomnia Studios in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Sound design and production by Spransy and Richard Harden. Mixed by Spransy at Insomnia Studios for Spasm Tyrant Productions. Music composed by the band with lyrics written by AJ Fink except track 2 featuring lyrics by AJ Fink and Chris Johnson. It was September 2002 Pick of the Month at The Phantom Tollbooth.
Spoken word by Boussaina Audi. Polyphonic vocals by Aurela Grace. On-site recording/sampling by Richard Harden in Bosnia, Kosova, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, and Romania. Poetry – “Blue River” by Mak Dizdar and “My Breath” by Richard Harden. Cover art “East of Eden” by Richard Harden.
Regions, the most recent independent release from Jacobstone, is an album that really has to be considered as two separate ventures brought together on one disk. Whereas the first four songs are essentially the band’s latest EP, the following 11 tracks are a soundtrack created to be used in a project titled “In a Field of Poppies.”
The opening four tracks of Regions are a wonderful display of the growth that Jacobstone has made as a band since its founding in 1996. The group offers up four solid indie rock songs without the trappings of self-indulgent solos or over-complex arrangements. As always, AJ’s intense vocals are supported by first-rate accompaniment. The dreamlike, almost floating, tones of each instrument meld together to give a very natural feeling to the music; the sound is sincere and genuine. The quality composition gives validity to the earnest vocals, as pleading lyrics such as “Hold me now. Dump me out. Make me clean. Pour me out.” are sung. The second track, «Holding», then builds and eventually climaxes with the longing cry, ”I will run to find you. I will run to see your truth.” It takes a special combination of musicianship and passion to make these words come alive, and these five men do it well. This is a band that can produce excellent music without falling victim to pretense.
“In a Field of Poppies” is an artistic endeavor aimed at “producing dialogue between the exclusive and competing communities of the Balkan region.” Paintings by Richard Harden are displayed while the music, which Jacobstone created specifically for the project (the later portion of Regions), is continuously played. Voices and other sounds from the region can be heard among the layers of instruments on this recording. While it is difficult to form an opinion as to the effectiveness of a soundtrack without having experienced the piece of art, one can imagine the effect that this musical work could have upon an observer. Even while hearing it in a vacuum, the music gives the listener a feeling of voyeurism. It is as though you are seeing thru someone else’s eyes and watching as something outlandish unfolds.
The soundtrack is rather ambient and combines various textures and unusual samples to create an intense experience. While an analysis could go on for pages about the ingenuity of this recording, one example will suffice for the purpose of this review. In «Birth/Rebirth» the music breaks thru predictable forms and structures to create a song that causes one’s ear to perk up and take notice. This is done with the use of a steady background of atonal noise upon which is set semi-tonal layers of vocals and a rather captivating piano melody. This combination gives the song a commanding and eerie sense as the surreal piano part hovers seemingly just out of reach. In short, this soundtrack is unique and powerful.
Each half of this album is very well crafted, but the album is truly two separate projects. Having said that, Regions holds many sonic pleasures and is well worth your time. [Trilisa M. Perrine, The Phantom Tollbooth, 8/16/2002]
Every once in a while a group will release an album that totally redefines the parameters of where Christian rock n roll can go. With their latest release entitled ‘Regions’ the group Jacobstone has done just that. In actuality you can divide this project into two sections, the first is a four song set of good atmospheric rock produced by the band along with Aaron Shannon. The music was written by Jacobstone and the lyrical contributions are by AJ Fink. If this were the only part of the album to be released it would still be well worth the price of purchasing it. Yet this is only the beginning of a musical adventure that is breathtaking in scope and nature.
The final eleven tracks on this album make up a sonic companion to an artistic collection by Richard Harden entitled, “In A Field Of Poppies.” These eleven pieces of music are unlike anything seen in Christian music since The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus. Experimental music has always intrigued me, because of its very nature, it is exciting and daring. As I am listening to this section of the album it is painting so many wonderful and glorious visual images. Not being overly familiar with Mr. Harden’s work, my mind is working and being sonically challenged in ways to create my own visual images and its a blast. When you go to the Jacobstone web site there is a connection to view some of the images that this music was created to accompany. They are as inventive as the music that goes along with them. There is a great deal of genuinely great music being put out by artists who hold to a biblical world view, but there is nothing at the present time that I am familiar with that even approaches the brilliance of this album. As a DJ, I look forward to the times when for whatever reason I get an extended program so I can share this piece with my listeners. It is forty four minutes of experimental heaven. If you have even the slightest hint of adventure in your musical taste, then do not waste a single moment getting this album and turning your friends on to it. This section of the album was produced by Richard Harden along with Matt Spransy. [Chris MacIntosh aka Grandfather Rock, The Phantom Tollbooth, 8/29/2002]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/regions/1498226147)
CD tracklist:
01. Prince of the City
02. Holding
03. A Year of Loss
04. Comatose
“In A Field Of Poppies.”
05. In a Field
06. Aferdita
07. Birth / Rebirth
08. Hallways, Emblems
09. Penchant
10. Leavening
11. Sentiments
12. When Ships Part
13. Proem Floor
14. Descent
15. Rest Through
Note: CD housed in a digipak.
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