Short Reviews [Cloud Over Jupiter - 2020 - "They're Here with Us..."]

Here we have the latest album by Cloud Over Jupiter, the project put together by Moon Men bassist Jerry King (who here also provides guitars and synths), Michele King (vocals, clarinet, piano), Chard Wardwell (synths) and drummer Bill Jungwirth plus multiple guests. These guests often only appear on just one song, and I smiled when I realized that both Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) and Bret Hart are involved, which means that with Jerry and Bill we have all the Moon Men working as Cloud Over Jupiter. This album can almost be divided into two distinct styles, as Michelle provides some wonderfully delicate and ethereal lead vocals at times, which gives the music a very distinct flavour, while at others we are in a world of synthesizer-led instrumentals. Take for example “Pinnacle Valley”, the synthesisers are the focal point of this short instrumental, yet with solid bass and just a touch of sax, and it is totally different to the following “Alien Pharaohs/They’re Here With Us” which has a dominant bassline and some lovely flute, Michell’s vocals over the top, and when they switch into the second part of the number it is far more guitar-led. On some albums where there are distinctly different elements it can be quite jarring and disruptive, but here it feels way more logical, and the listener enjoys the different progressions and forays into other fields and areas. It is progressive, with sometimes large elements of space rock, whereas at others it can be quite experimental or even quite poppy. It is an intriguing release, one with a great deal of depth yet does not require hard work on the part of the listener to get the most out of it. The more it is played the more there is to discover, and small things such as suddenly using an acoustic guitar at the beginning of “Jupiter Dream” is so out of left field that the listener listens even more closely. Intriguing, and at times beguiling, this is a thoroughly enjoyable release.