Jakob Battick, previously of 1800s Sea Monster and Mt. Moon (I reviewed their epic LP A Burial in Seven Births last year) has recently put out the compilation Some Songs in Chronological Order. This includes two of his original tracks from Mt. Moon’s LP release (“The Worm To The Robin” and “Massive Moth, My Dreamfield”), both massive (in length and substance) highlights from that album, as well old tracks mingled with new. It is a sort of plodding melancholy mixed with hopefulness that dominates much of Battick’s delivery and songwriting (hear “In My Rare Dream” and duet “It’s a Grace (Only Bodies Can Impart)” for fine examples of this quality). “Multiple Greens”, my favourite song here, sounds fast-moving and purposeful in its 7:25. Battick’s take on Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” is more of a reinvention than a cover, every word and passage performed and sung in a poignant, heart-driven way that is quite impressive to behold. “Her Limbs Are Little Bodies of Stars” and “As Before, If Not More”, first and last tracks respectively, display alternate sides of Battick’s music, the high-spirited, catchy folk of the former, and the oceans of sound washing into meaningful open space in the latter.

I have also gotten a chance to hear his upcoming Early Flowers EP in advance, a release part of the Tea & Oranges family, in advance, which is another testament Jakob Battick continual refinement of his material and sound.

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Jakob Battick on MySpace Music | Tea and Oranges on MySpace Music