Jessen checks in for the 'Night'
(11/7/2002)
By Jim Musser

Tom Jessen
'Night'
east elm records

It's been more than six years since Tom Jessen's Dimestore Outfit debuted with "Redemption," a murky, haunting hybrid of rustic rock and alt-country that - despite its unevenness - was long on promise and potential.

The Dimestore Outfit dispersed shortly thereafter, and Jessen left the area for a few years of soul-searching that included travel and a stint in a Catholic seminary.

Since his return to Iowa City a couple years ago, the Strawberry Point native has been writing, rehearsing and carefully, slowly assembling the tracks for "Night," a sprawling, ambitious opus that (despite being recorded locally with area musicians) sounds like nothing that's emerged from this fertile region before it.

The sassy, pop/R&B horn charts that keynote the opening "Eulogy" signal a rich, wide-ranging hybrid of musical influences and textures that clearly separate this music from the sometimes too-reverent adherence to the folk, roots-rock and Americana sources that have been the region's dominant paradigm of late.

Those touchstones aren't missing entirely, but strong undercurrents that go back to the energetic pub-rock and adult-pop maneuvers of Elvis Costello, Graham Parker and company bubble through numerous stylistic check-offs.

Likewise, Jessen's lively lyrical approach intermingles intense, ruthless introspection with sharply pointed references to Biblical passages, American literature and pop culture - there is plenty of meat on these bones.

Jessen's voice - an earthy, low rumble of a vocal instrument that previously had proven problematic both live and on record - is well in hand on "Night." There are, admittedly, a few passages where it flats out just a tad bit, but its undeniable character, remarkable flexibility and expressiveness combine to carry the mail just fine.

Eighteen musicians and singers are employed over the course of Jessen's production - too many to list; each too important to only single out a few - but the disc holds together as a seamless, pulsing, invigorating whole.

It sure was a long time a-comin', but "Night" is a remarkable piece of work, and well worth the wait.

Jim Musser's Music Beat column appears in Info to GO! every Thursday. You can reach him by writing to 1100 Arthur St. B5, Iowa City, Iowa 52240-6606, calling 354-6123, or sending e-mail to jmussa@aol.com