Jig Of Glee is the 10th album by Fir Cone Children one of the myriad bands of Alexander Donat. The Berlin based band are dedicated to making music that appeals to his two daughters, who are now 9 & 11 years old who are now also collaborators making this full of joyful, noisy clattering indie pop, to help get your kids bouncing off the walls. With lyrics written with the aid and co-operation or is it coercion with his daughters, this album deals in youthful subjects of interest including Texting, Dolphins, Witches and Elections.
The album bursts into life with You Are My Animal sounding like a late 90's indie shoegaze band with a good clattering edge, strained vocals are worried about what happens at night, making you turn into their favourite animal, is it super furry or is it part of a collective? whooped backing vocals add to the mystery.
Texting is something every parent has to discuss with the kids these days, are they in favour of, or behind the texts freaking you out, this has dreamy levels of layered jangle pop guitars with gothy drum patterns, a growling bassline while you and me discuss what's going down.
Diamond Dolphins are special and not found hanging out near Bahnof station, they are far more joyful than the experiences of Wir Kinder, all the action unfolds with delight in the story rampaging through this song.
Youth Lagoon sounds like they are running around and diving in the cool water without a care in the world, here's hoping it stays that way and the experiences don't haunt the rest of their lives. I wonder if the Lagoon they go to has a wave machine or are they now totally out of fashion.
Witches Lab has been set up in the cellar by Alexanders two daughters to cast spells, creating the world as they want to perceive it, we catch glimpses of this realm in the lyrics, the music has slowed down, becoming a bit more sparse, they ask you to drink that elixir that will transport you.
On The Prowl is something the two young protagonists are far too young to be doing, so they are prowling for more innocent reasons, clattering guitars and drums breakdown, it seems they may have found Mark E Smiths re-animated cadaver, who is spilling the beans to what they are really searching for.
Malin that mysterious character from the Martin Beck novels is twisted into a new life in the Berlin underground, will he survive and thrive, at the very least he'll dance with joy at the exuberant music uplifting him from the torpor of all that Swedish despair.
Battery has no input from Metallica, they may not have been included, but all sorts of other influences shine through, from Lush to Swervedriver with echoes of D.A.F. drum patterns. The breakdown feels as if they are asking if you want Ever Ready or Duracell.
I Need An Amp And A Synth is obviously dad putting ideas in his daughters heads, to follow in his over productive musical path, the main chorus and vocal line is super anthemic and could easily be re-mixed into a huge sing along in a Dirtbox Disco style.
The album closes with Vote For Me about an election Alex's daughters created, complete with stump speeches, plans for soft animal rights, which animals are allowed on what shelf, Will Gunther rule the roost or will he be ousted by Elmo and his forces for positive change.
Find out more at https://blackjackilluministrecords.bandcamp.com/album/jig-of-glee https://www.facebook.com/FirConeChildren
