The Rise And Fall Of American Kitsch. Karen Jonas

Listening to Karen Jonas' new album The Rise And Fall Of American Kitsch, I have a feeling that in a way I'm listening to a cover album filled with originals. For a few songs I am even able to point to the inspiration directly. Listening to 'Rich Man's Valley', the opening song, I immediately thought of 'C'est La Vie (Never Can Tell)', Emmylou Harris' version of the Chuck Berry song. The thought that followed is, what a way to open a new album. My third thought was, I'm in the mood for more alright. The same happened with the blues of 'Mama's Gone'. I may sing The Stones' live version of 'You've Got To Move' at first, after a few bars I really find myself singing 'Mama's Gone'.

Don't get me wrong, all songs are originals and stand their own. The result by the way, is that The Rise And Fall Of American Kitsch contains the widest range of styles ever found on a Karen Jonas album. Some of the songs totally sparkle. Take the country rock and roll of 'Four Cadillacs', that midway changes to a dirty mid tempo rocker as if Karen Jonas struts a stage like Marilyn Monroe might have done if she had sung this part of 'Four Cadillacs' in a 1950s musical.

After these first two songs, 'Shake Bump And Slide Show' comes as a total surprise. The gothic country rocker is on route to become my favourite song on the album. Just listen to the three songs and then wonder how lead guitarist Tim Bray is able to play so outstanding on three so different tracks. I'm listening with my mouth wide open in wonder. I'm totally in awe of the song as well. There's a banjo giving it a country feel, the rest of the band is rocking alright. They make a dark song sparkle no less.

Promo photo Ryan Poe

It is followed closely by 'Black Jacket Red Guitar'. Another song where the band rocks in a tight way and Karen Jonas sings as sharp as a high, stiletto-healed shoe. This song is almost dangerous.

Honesty makes me have to say that not all songs go down this well with me. Karen Jonas ventures into true country tearjerking territory also, and that is just not for me. Not even her beautiful and powerful voice saves me here. And the spoken word contribution, 'American Kitsch', is nice to listen to once, maybe twice, but that is about it.

That said, the (rest of the) material easily makes the grade she set herself in the past 13 years, first as half of The Parlor Soldiers and since as a solo artist. From the album 'Oklahoma Lottery' right up to The Rise And Fall Of American Kitsch Karen Jonas' career is one big musical success story, with for me only one question left, how it is possible that not more people know of her music, allowing her to perform anywhere? The quality of her latest album should not be a hindrance to getting there.

Promo photo Ryan Poe

The theme of the album stems from her love of American kitsch, including the 'Plastic Pink Flamingos' she sings about in this 1950s inspired, up tempo country-rockabilly rocker. Another of the musical surprises this album contains. You will find that the kitsch theme returns in the lyrics of several songs.

The different styles this album contains, may be too much for purists of a specific genre, I'm in awe of what Karen Jonas and band are pulling off here. In all songs she convinces, yes, even in the songs that are not for me. Her quality control stamp is obviously there, and that of her band of course.

In other words, Karen Jonas delivers again. As a whole this album is sizzling with musical delight and prowess. Karen Jonas is my favourite country singer and so, so much more.

Wout de Natris - van den Borght

You can listen to and order The Rise And Fall Of American Kitsch here:

https://karenjonasmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-rise-and-fall-of-american-kitsch