Cassette (Bakery Outlet)
By Abel Folgar
Tuesday. Dec 13, 1:23 AM
Soft, sweet, intimate, honest.

Samantha Jones ought to be a familiar name for fans of the Central Florida music scene. From her work in punk/indie bands like Crustaceans and Bitchin', to her collaboration with Hot Water Music's Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard's alt-country-punk side project Rumbleseat, Ms. Jones likes to keep musically active. Her personal project, Cassette, is a turn away from these past ventures. Armed with her guitar, surrealist/intelligent lyrics, full-ranged vocals, and a handful of Gainesville-area friends, Cassette's first album is a fully realized 10-song platter.

Though Cassette live is more often than not Ms. Jones' lone guitar accompaniment, she manages the rhythm section of Gabe Galvin (drums) and Matt Radick (bass/cello) on an even keel, allowing for the instrumentation to maintain itself on the same level slightly below her voice, which fluctuates appropriately with the flows and ebbs of the music. An occasional harmonica sees its way into the mix, as well as the piano work of Stirling Kruising. The songs do more than just flow and ebb, since they are arranged to follow the oscillations of water and the seasons. Jones vocally steps it up in the middle of the album with tracks "Summer to Snow" and "North of the Carolinas," before delivering a peppier back half with "Thirst Like Water" and "Rise On, River."

The opener, "Access to Me," has a residual melancholy that permeates the rest of the album with nice, intimate warmth. Overall, Cassette succeeds with Samantha Jones taking a very solid lead into the spotlight with this album. She has the honesty and charisma to retain such a post for a very long time.
www.cassettesongs.com
www.bakeryoutletrecords.com

Abel Folgar

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