[rating=9.00]
When Stone Jack Jones came on the scene ever so quietly in 2014 with his dark, brooding debut Ancestor, it was impactful. Those who paid attention were blown away by his steely, sepia-tinged growl and haunting lullabies. And those who caught him on tour were even more affected, and perhaps a bit perplexed that his on-stage persona was more of a punk rocker than a folksy troubadour. And the revelations just keep coming with his new album Love and Torture. Sharing the title of his 2014 tour “From Nashville with Love and Torture”, Jones captures the spirit of his live shows for this album and delivers something more pulsating and vibrant than anything else he’s done yet.
Having confronted a rare and mysterious blood disease, Jones has been able to tap into the darkness that lurks inside him and create moody music about death, love and pain. And while Torture isn’t bogged down by this, it does have an underlying gloom, even in its most beautiful, delicate moments. “Shine” is one of these moments, straddling the line between dark and light. It’s got an addictive alt-rock melody, but it’s wrought with hurt. This is about as light as it gets with Jones, and even as he’s singing “the sun will shine/on the other side”, his vocals are thick with aching – his rasp being dragged through molasses, slowly.
The banjo on “Circumstance”, a standout on Torture, adds unexpected menace, especially when paired with Jones’ muffled vocal affect. It’s got that signature morbid quality, like an end of days soundtrack. Like most of his songs, it has a lonely solemnity to it, even with the addition of multiple guitars. “Circumstance” is cacophonous, but tight, and it features some of the strongest guitar playing on the record, as well as an appearance by Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner. As with most Jones songs, you’re not sure if you should be gently head-banging, or moving back and forth in a ghostly sway.
Considering all that Jones has gone through with his health over the last few years, he’s an impressively busy man. He’s put out two records over the course of a year, and he has mastered the ability to turn dark experiences into compelling art. And like Ancestor, Love and Torture is all at once mystical, nightmarish and dreamy. It’s earthy and muddy, but also transcendental. It’s Americana, yet otherworldly.
Accompanied by Patty Griffin’s ethereal voice, Jones’ harmonies on Torture are heavenly. Overall, Torture is more joyful and hopeful than Ancestor. Jones is working with many longtime collaborators, like Ryan Norris and Scott Martin, giving Torture looseness and a bit of fun. Jones has been to hell and back, and Love and Torture explores that journey in depth. The final song, “Say Amen”, is a poignant end, with Jones looking to the future, and coming to terms with his past.
