Chris Joss

Sticks

(ESL)

Record Review by Amber Henson

Since Chris Joss uses a sitar prominently on his new album Sticks I decided to do some research on this unfamiliar instrument in my own personal happy place, AKA Wikipedia.  And I discovered that, shoot, man, if I learned how to play a sitar, I too would be inspired to make a whole album, just to show off what I’d acquired because damned if this thing ain’t the most complicated apparatus of all time. Luckily for his listeners, Joss is very good at not only the sitar, but also at creating very enjoyable tracks.  Sticks is Joss’ sixth album, and while I don’t normally enjoy songs without lyrics, I found myself getting into the music.

It also helps that these tracks remind me of the soundtrack to the film Out of Sight, with George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez (a confusing film, but the great music by DJ David Holmes makes up for it).  There is a definite jazz sound, but it’s a little faster and structured than traditional jazz, with more percussion.  The sitar gives the songs a funky feel.  I was also reminded of the duo Groove Armada, in terms of beats and the smart sensibilit.

I always feel a little left out without lyrics, like there is something the artist is trying to tell me but I’m just not getting it.  Joss does a pretty good job of keeping his listeners in the loop, though, with descriptive titles (track two, “Surrounded,” could be straight out of a Starsky & Hutch episode) and the distinct feeling that some of the instruments are speaking.  I’m not sure how to describe it, but that sitar can talk, and it seems to tell of women that have done it wrong and other, better times.

Sticks is a well-named album, not only because of the peculiar percussion used on the album, but also because the tracks stick in the listener’s head.  So get ready to let that sitar back into your life.  It’s not just for The Beatles anymore.