Jacob Rountree
“Definitions” - a stunning and unique track
As you can imagine, we get a lot of music across our desk. While most of it is quite good, it’s rare when we encounter something unique. Jacob’s voice and writing are just that. Add in the cinematic tones and soundscapes and you’re taken someplace else. This is Robbie Robertson meets Morrissey. Spoken word meets multimedia. Radiohead meets Windham Hill. It’s massive and subtle. Gorgeous and treacherous. We’re hooked. Here’s our review.
Let’s start with where he’s based out of - Spokane, WA. When you think of the music in Washington State, you’ll immediately think of Seattle. But Spokane, on the eastern side of the side, is literally a world away. Cross over the mountains on I90 from Seattle, and on your way down the hills you’ll notice that you’ve gone from the lush forests of the PNW, to the high desert plains of the American West. The scenery runs for miles on the horizon. The air is drier than Seattle, the winters much colder, the summer much hotter - it’s a broader climate and landscape. Where Seattle is introspective and closed off, Spokane is the opposite, and that’s exactly what Jacob’s music is.
The melody and chord structure don’t alter that much through the track, and it doesn’t need to. Pay attention to the lyrics - a dissertation on the monotonies of our societies definitions - and you’ll begin to understand why the piece was composed in such a fashion. The melody and tones wash over you like a drone - and after the second chorus, when he asks the listener to “listen to me breathe,” the extra effects and soundscapes that are added in take this composition to another level. The track is based around a droning drum and guitar delay pattern, with Jacob’s unique tenor resting peacefully on top. The entire piece also reminds us of chants and rituals we’ve heard from First Nations tribe’s. But it stands on its own - the production is exceptional.
Listening to his other works and you’ll find similar soundscapes and tones. “Walk a Mile” is a favorite with it’s up-tempo and happier vibe. “Vertigo” is just as lush as “Definitions,” but with a brighter timbre and tempo. “Peace, Love, War” has a charming waltz feel with a more acoustic instrumentation. As with all the tracks, his unique voice stands out. Another thing to love about his work is the length of the tracks - none of them are under 3:00 minutes - many stretch beyond 5:00.
Jacob’s artistry is unique. While he certainly reminds us of many (see above), he’s too broad to pinpoint or narrow down. The best way to describe Jacob Rountree and his music is to say, oh, that’s Jacob Rountree.