Jesse
Herrin, the mastermind behind the debut album Hauntings has been at the helm of the Waycross, GA music scene for
some time. Although I just found out about him through the doom metal label Twin Earth Records, a little
research leads me to the verdict that Jesse is a very well accomplished
musician and songwriter, with Hauntings being
a true testament to that fact. Quoting from his band’s Facebook
profile a brief background reads, “As
the sole proprietor/producer/engineer of Hickory Wind Recording Studio, he has
put his mark on many recordings by talented Waycross artists through the years.
The son of Billy Ray Herrin, published songwriter with The Lowery Group and
Sony/Tree, Jesse has grown up listening and learning how to write a good song.”
–Dave Griffin
Jesse injects a little bit of everything
that I love about the alternative/Americana scene particularly among fans of
both heavy rock and country. The first three songs exhibit 3 completely
different angles of Americana/Folk/singer songwriter and the process repeats
throughout. Idumea kicks off the
album with a particularly haunting vibe. A somber tone glides along to a
graceful and charming atmospheric melody while an eerie resonance builds the
anticipation for the rest of the album. Pills
are the Devil sounds like it could have come off a Hank III or Old Crow Medicine Show album with its deep southern twang set
to hooky drinking and drugging theme. Further
Down in Time unleashes a full fledge Neil Young worship, with soaring pedals of the steel guitar,
gentle plucks of the banjo, and mournful croons of Jesse's voice. Gentle flares
of elegance sweep the airwaves while the cosmic Americana spirit infects the
mind body and soul.
Calling this
Folk is an understatement, Americana is cutting the band short, and southern
rock is just the cornerstone to Jesse's
psychedelic journey through the Georgian fields. Outlaw country could be
considered an apt description; however the spooky atmospherics and towering
emotion upgrade Hauntings to flat out
Epic Status. Whatever way you dice it, Jesse
is a faultless album spanning multiple genres, sure to lasso the attention of a
diverse group of seasoned and tasteful fans. Bottom line, if you like this
album you have damn good taste!
The title
track Haunting cuts deep, seamlessly
transitioning from a backwoods folky twang into a ghostly chorus line echoing
within the winds of despair. The closing lines strike a nerve and chills to the
bone, "….The only thing for sure
when I’m long gone will be the sound of the chisel on the stone, and my name
will remain…."
The album
does not let up and maintains a motley pace. To Be Found highlights the album nearing its midpoint gaining
comparisons to the greats such as Young, Gram Parsons and modern all-stars such
as Jason Isbell and Brett Detar. There are even mild
stints of electronic rhythm displayed on Colder
Nights that could fit in on the stellar Drive soundtrack. L.I.G. highlights the angelic tones of
backing singer Amanda Taylor whose duet with Jesse is stoked by a blazing steel
guitar lick hot enough to light my fire at the pearly
gates of heaven, while Nothing More to
Say exhibits a foot stomping boogie serving anthem to the surf rock spirit
of the south. Fought to Feel closes
down the record with a 50's pop melody reminiscing a Buddy Holly dance number
with a classic country resonance.
The entire
album sustains an electrifying tone throughout all 13 tracks. As an avid
listener of each stoner rock, doom metal, psychedelic blues, classic country
and Americana I find Hauntings firing
a torch under each of the high octane genre cylinders. Neither metal nor heavy
psychedelic blues rock by any physical means, there's a spiritual kinship
amongst the genres expressed via the Americana outlet. I urge the general
public to check this man’s project out, which also features a loaded cast of
musicians within its diversified approach.
-The Huntsman
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