RIYL: Polly Scattergood, Amanda Palmer, Tori Amos
Jen Gloeckner is…odd. That’s the best way to put it. I’m not good enough a writer to come up with a better word to describe her dark combination of dreamy surrealism and Gothic themes that traverse the genres of Americana, rock and electronic music via liberal use of cello, electric violins and what sounds like a wind chime on at lest one track. Some might call her quirky, but quirky implies a sense of goofiness and a lighthearted tone. And while there is some innocent fun to be had here, such on the 50-second interlude “Let’s Get Honest,” most of Mouth of Mars is either deliberately dark or just downright weird. “Burn Me” seems to be an indictment of a former lover but instead of taking an angry tone, it’s a darkly somber one due to a creaky cello and some haunting vocal effects that turn Jen’s already ethereal voice into that of a ghost. It’s followed up with “Die,” a much more obvious attack on a former flame, where she repeatedly proclaims that “I’m not gonna lie / One of us will have to die” over electric violins and a catchy dance beat. Gloeckner is no doubt amazingly talented and with her second album she’s already found her unique voice and style. It probably won’t appeal to most, but those who dig this will more than likely fall head over heels in love with it. (Spinning Hand Records 2010)
