Jim Roll: Inhabiting The Ball

Following up the critically acclaimed releases  "Ready To Hang" (1998) and "Lunette" (2000) would have easily been an ominous task for anyone but Jim Roll. He surpasses the benchmark he created for himself, with his latest release, 'Inhabiting The Ball' (Telegraph Records).

Proving that the line between artistic genres is as fine as strand of silk, Inhabiting The Ball, effectively incorporates collaborative lyrical contributions from best selling authors Rick Moody (The Ice Storm) and Denis Johnson (The Name of the World; Jesus' Son) on 8 of the 13 tracks.

Roll, having been inspired while reading a Denis Johnson's novel a few years back, ultimately linked two worlds of artistic expression, making the initial connection with Desperados in the Parking Lot.

Looking to write more narrative songs than the usual introspective fare, Roll described the project in a recent Cosmik interview as more of an exercise than a concept. "I just wanted to have some fun, and I wanted to do something a little less reflective, less "I'm a songwriter and I'm in love and it's not working out." I wanted to bring in some authors and maybe it would help me write more narratives and less reflective, standard songwriter stuff."

Roll's own songwriting more than keeps pace with his literary collaborators, whether its the narrative inspiration of Orphan Train or the drum driven rock of Bonnie and Clyde.

The message loud and clear from the start that this is no ordinary alt-country recording. Roll garners attention immediately from the opening chords of the title track, catching listeners almost off guard, while luring them, almost unwillingly, to a whole other realm, where prosaic musings fuse with multi-colored narratives.

Intuitively fluctuating between eclectic offerings of folk and alt-country/rock, without losing its continuity, 'Inhabiting The Ball' has you waiting to see what the next track will bring.

Intellectual, funky, and literate, with an edge that rocks more than it twangs, the music would easily be at home in a coffeehouse or a roadhouse. From the Dylan-esque folk/rock of 'Blue Guitar'  to the picturesque  Americana-folk of Eddie Rode the Orphan Train, Jim Roll and producer Brain Deck creatively mixed styles that feed off of each other, yet managing to allow each track to stand on its own merit.

Throughout, it's more than obvious Jim Roll's got that right brain, left brain thing going. While the cerebral-ness of the project could have easily ended up feeling condescending,  Roll offers an eclectic collection of electrified melodies and intellectual lyrics.

Most memorable tracks: Bonnie and Clyde, Blue Guitar, You, Eddie Rode The Orphan Train

Laurie Joulie Take Country Back February 2002