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Zac Bauman — Bell Jar
(Bandcamp no#, 2017, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2023-06-28

Bell Jar Cover art

Zac Bauman is a California multi-instrumentalist who quietly released this gem of an album in 2017. It’s recently come to my attention, and it’s much too good to ignore just because it’s a few years old. Many of the tracks on Bell Jar are based around acoustic guitar, and Bauman is a master of many different techniques, with outstanding finger-picking being one of his main strengths. Tunes like “Requiem for Joe Death” and “Exaltation at World’s End” are virtual master classes in steel-string folk guitar, with the fluid incorporation of harmonics into the elaborate patterns of “Exaltation” being especially stunning. But impressive guitar playing is only the beginning. Banjo and mandolin make appearances, and feature prominently in the opener, “Over and Over,” which has a feeling of rural psychedelia that is quite charming. With its glockenspiel, hand percussion, and bass harmonica (I think), it comes off as a fresh variation on chamber pop. And “(Nothing) Like a Rolling Stone” starts out as a banjo-based folk song, then brings in trombone, trumpet, and more to build into a rootsy psych-pop confection. With “Soulmate,” Bauman shows us another side of his talent, with a loping groove based on gamelan backing a dreamy vocal melody. Other tracks incorporate keyboards, xylophone, washboard, and other percussion (though never a drum kit), presenting an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of musical colors. Aside from the brass, some backing vocals, and a bit of electric guitar, Bauman did the whole thing himself, and it’s an impressive achievement, though of course it would be pointless if his songwriting wasn’t up to snuff, and happily there’s no problem there. Bell Jar is a unique slice of Americana that isn’t tied to tradition, and a joy to hear.

Filed under: New releases, 2017 releases

Related artist(s): Zac Bauman

More info
http://zacbauman.bandcamp.com/album/bell-jar

 

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