The Jigsaw Seen - Winterland
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Critical darlings The Jigsaw Seen impress again with "Winterland." This winter-themed album comes just one year after 2010's "Bananas Foster" which is an acceleration of TJS's usual release schedule. Before Bananas Foster there was an 8 year gap between full-length albums though several EPs and singles did come out. RUST Magazine was in contact with the band during the recording period and spoke at length with Jonathan Lea who told us that the success of Bananas Foster had a direct result in the band being able to record a new full length album so rapidly.
In this world of online singles, hearing a well-thought out concept album is as fresh an experience as a snowflake on your cheeks. Not a lot of bands can maintain a theme and generate a full set of tracks that work well together as well as individually. TJS's alt-rock vibe definitely has a retro feel to it and just the idea of a concept album brings to mind a distinct vintage, but Winterland is full of fresh and contemporary songwriting and great recording and production.
In fact Peter Mew, whose many, many credits include the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour mastered the album at Abbey Road Studios. Audiophiles will note that there was a separate mastering for vinyl and the album is available in a gatefold with included frame-able album art. TJS has gotten almost as much attention for their packaging and design as their music and the LP is just plain gorgeous. The CD also includes the artwork, albeit folded (gasp!) and an old-school style paper disc sleeve.
Winterland is both a great new fresh collection and a nostalgic take on an idea from a time when people actually listened to whole albums and artists were challenged to think beyond four minutes. Well-thought out and executed, it suggests that these compositions have been waiting for their moment for quite some time and hint at what TJS was up to during the times between releases.
Scheduled for release on November 15 - just in time for the season - RUST Magazine highly recommends Winterland, especially the stunning vinyl version. The band will be touring nationwide in spring 2012 as well so keep track of them at www.thejigsawseen.com
