JACOB GOLDEN

REVENGE SONGS

By David Day

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GENRE | GENUINE HEARTBREAK

VERDICT | DESPITE IT ALL, STILL GOOD

LABEL | BARNES & NOBLE

RELEASE DATE | 2.05.08

BARNESANDNOBLE.COM

Some songwriters have the kind of talent and emotion that, no matter how ludicrous the lyrics or how plaintive the vocals, they cut right to the bone. Joanna Newsom, Jeremy Enigk and Jose Gonzáles are a few that come to mind. Jacob Golden, on a debut that inexplicably will only be available at Barnes & Noble, is like that. Right from the jump,"Out Come The Wolves" hits with that kind of force—it had our indie-rock intern wandering over to the stereo like Golden was the pied piper of authenticity. Later, hushed balladry and groomed wordplay represent the real gift Golden has, a talent developed in, not coincidentally, Portland, Ore. (hello, Elliott Smith). Yet despite the Microsoft Outlook rule that had this press release in my recycle bin (if Body includes -> "Beck" and "Mojo" move to -> "Trash" folder), it was worth tracking down, and perhaps the local megalith book peddler might have it front and center. Naturally, it took someone crushing his heart into the dust and spitting on it to reveal this sort of ability. Thanks, bitch, wherever you are.