Customer Reviews

Reckless Burning

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Reckless Burning" is a startlingly excellent set. Jesse Sykes comes from the band Hominy and lead guitarist Phil Wandscher comes from Whiskeytown. The opening title track is my favorite, from the opening lyrics, "Pretty thing I've got you, right where I used to be; right across this city starting fires recklessly," we know we are in for an original and wonderful treat. Many of the tracks move slowly & hauntingly, bringing to mind Cowboy Junkies and Red House Painters. "Doralee" continues the formula with a haunting reminiscence, "There's gravel in your bathtub, the fish swam free looking for their ocean." "This is where my ship has run aground, stuck in the mud on the Puget Sound, I came from the Great Lakes & I watched them turn dry, the sky turned black & I cried," Jesse sings on the lovely & addictive "Lonely Still" with Bruce Wirth on banjo & lap steel. "Your Side Now" aches with Wandscher's lead guitar wandering in pain. "He said, I think you know my name," Jesse moans on the entrancing "Made of Wood." It might sound odd to say, but "Love Me Someday" has a quality that reminds me of Nancy Sinatra singing the Lee Hazlewood hit "Sundown." Anne Marie Ruljancich's violin and cello graces the melancholy closer "Lullaby." Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter have created an amazing set filled with longing, ache & sadness that inspires with its perfection. Bravo!

Imagine a young Joni Mitchell fronting Mazzy Star. That's one way to approach "Reckless Burning". The debut album from Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter sounds like anything but a "debut". The album was the brainchild of Sykes (formerly of the obscure alt.country group Hominy) and Phil Wandscher, former guitarist of Whiskeytown. Jesse Sykes has the voice of a fallen angel. The haunting melodies of "Doralee" and "Made of Wood" will send shivers down your spine. "Lonely Still" and "Love Me, Someday" will break your heart. This is a dense, lyrically heavy album, with all the best that alternative country has to offer. If you dig Neko Case,Lucinda Williams, or Ryan Adams, this is the record for you.

This album effortlessly glides through you, but not with out a strong effect. It's a gorgeous piece of work and should be purchased by anyone who wants to just lie down and let the music hold them. I'd never hear of the album or artist(s) before, but after a chance purchase, I was gratefully rewarded. An instant classic. I strongly suggest you purchase a copy.

I got things backwards when I discovered Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter. I first found and loved Oh, My Girl! That wonderful CD led me to the groups debut effort, Reckless Burning. Stunning! Brilliant! Effortlessly supreme! I simply can't say enough good things about Jesse Sykes & TSH.

The mood of their songs is like a dreamy mist of haunting melodies and whispered embraces. Their music soothes and comforts me and provokes memories, both pleasant and sad. And isn't that what good music should do, move you?

Give Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter a try. You won't be sorry.

Yikes!!! Enjoy Seattle local Jesse Sykes first offering. It's a gem like all her CDs. Catch her live if you can.

I give my vote to the reviewer that mentioned "subtle beauty", because this CD is just that and more! Mesmerizing also comes to mind, but however we characterize "Oh MY Girl", it's an awesome piece of work......
Jesse's other major CD ("Reckless Burning") is also fantastic but I think Oh My Girl holds a slight edge.
Both are so far beyond what I expected (and have experienced) that I think I'd give them 6 stars, if I could.......wow

Simply stated, a wonderful CD. It's unfortunate most people will never hear it. If you like Cat Power, Low, Mazzy Star, etc., you should definitely check out this album. Great stuff.

Nobody likes to be bummed out. This isn't a bummed out record as much as it is a feeling of succumbing to some type of mental numbness. At first, you might think "is this going anywhere?", but before you know it, it'll draw you in deeper and deeper.

I first found out about Sykes after hearing Jim White's "Drill a hole..." which was also co-produced by Seattle producer Tucker Martine. The sound is less Seattle and more Tucson. Don't miss this and "Oh my girl".

With utmost respect to Grace Slick & Co.:

"And you've just had some kind of cactus
And your mind is moving low
Go ask Jesse
I think she'll know"

I sort of get the feeling from looking at the cover of the CD and listening to the songs that maybe somebody told Jesse Sykes she was the next big thing, or that the reason she isn't selling millions is that people "don't get her."

All that aside, I do like "Dora Lee." It's got that creepy folk feel to it. Maybe after a few more listens, it will grow on me. I'm a fan of alt country, country, and some folk, but right now this isn't absolutely brilliant, just okay. I'd rather listen to The Buckets.