“Between the Jars”… yes, I had a similar thought, and it turns out I wasn’t a million miles away……
In 2014, four musicians from Utrecht turned the attic of a drinks wholesaler into their own studio! Local band competition winners, they released a debut EP ‘Sirens’, got some radio airplay, released a couple of singles supported by a good producer Juan van Emmerloot (Snowy White, Popa Chubby, Steve Lukather) and record label TheRoomRecordings; then played over 120 gigs in The Netherlands (including Paradiso and De Melkweg), France ( Class’EuRock festival 2018 in Aix-En-Provence in front of a 3k crowd), Germany, and India (Mood Indigo Festival). Support act work followed as Between the Jars opened for Ida Nielsen (Prince) and John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick at the main stage of the Musikmesse Frankfürt 2019.
Then came studio work. ‘Oh.. What a Time to Be Alive’ which was released in April 2020. The album was recorded together with producer George Konings at Sound Vision Studio, after which Miles Showell (Beatles, Lana Del Rey, Queen, and Rolling Stones) mastered the album at Abbey Road Studios in London.
What’s to come when you listen to this album?
An excellent hybrid, that’s what. Take an essence of Hillage/Canterbury, thrown in a liberal sprinkling of slightly psychedelic nuances (Kula Shaker or other 90’s era rock-pop), add some of the more melancholic post-rock (Anathema, Leprous etc), and stir it up with the breath of enthusiastic youth perspective and determined musical ambition.
This is a group testing the water, pushing the boundaries, trying it on and trying it out. They want to create an atmosphere; they want to take us all on a journey; they’re determined, focused thinkers.
Does it work? Well, yes, on the whole. Untethered is hauntingly emotive. All in Me introduces a slight latin element. The Swarm is a delightful, crisp prog number. The Volume has blues rock origins, deliciously played. Collision floats along a lightly ethereal electronic vibe. All in Me occurs as the album closer in an excellent, proggy post-rock epic format.
The result is an album to be appreciated as much for the present performance as the future promise it shows. An album of viewpoints on the world, and cleverly nuanced, yet understated style.
So, after this positive effort, Between the Jars – What’s still to come, I wonder?
Tracklisting:
The Swarm
All in Me
Untethered
The Volune
Passing THrough
Collision
All in Me (reprise)
Band
Florian Albronda – Vocals
Chris Fonteijn – Guitar
Max Mulhuyzen – Drums
Maarten van den Ende – Bass Guitar
Jesper Hendriksen – Hammond Keyboard
Spirit of Progressive Rock 