Cosmo Jarvis : 'Cosmo Jarvis'
Released: 16th November 2009
Label: Wall of Sound
This talented singer/songwriter from Devon has had comparisons with the likes of Jamie T, which is a feat in itself. But this lad potentially has even more in his locker…
Cosmo Jarvis, who originally heralded from New Jersey, will release his debut album of lyrically intriguing acoustic indie pop. The album comes in two halves, the fun and almost jaunty Humasyouhitch and the more deep heartfelt Sonofabitch.
Opening track on the former starts off with some scratchy strings, which then ensues into an acoustic tune accompanied with some high hat drumming added with some piano aswell. It is a catchy song, very much following the route of Jack Penate at this moment in time.
Jarvis’ tone changes in the following track 'Mel’s song'. It resembles a slight echo of The Twang( but he’s actually better, a lot). This track tell us the fallowed teenage story of himself getting close and yet so far with the ‘prettiest girl in Brixham’
A Hawaiian feel occurs in the following track 3 'She’s got you'. This comes in the shape of the guitar, which is played in that Hawaiian tone. Again it’s accompanied with a pacy instrumental approach, with some use of a recorder too as well. It’s bouncy and a head nodder certainly. It talks about how someone he knew is blatently ‘under the thumb’, who’s personality has been altered whilst in love with his partner.
Cosmo Jarvis enlightens us about himself the more the CD goes on, telling all about how he’s changed as a person, with the lyric ‘I’m not a wanker, well I used to be but not anymore, cos it makes me tired'.
'Wild Humans' is a slightly punky approach, with the addition of electric guitar giving the track a rocky feel. Jarvis’ fondness with Jessica Alba is for all to see in the following track 'Jessica’s Alba’s number'. It’s humorous and very quirky, even mentioning the lesbian from the OC.(hmm, forgot about her!)
The end of the record bellows out in a whippy manor, with Jarvis telling an assuring story of a crazy screwed up lady who’s going to be alright. The track eventually leads to an instrumental which has a far eastern vibe to it.
We then enter the second CD of Jarvis’ so far stirling work, Sonofabitch.
Opener 'Clean my room' presents itself with a rather ambitious opening, with a crackled voice gloating that this is the ‘greatest show on earth’, into almost a Stevie Wonder bassline that leads into Jarvis’ vocals. ‘Some dreams are meant for chasing and some dreams are meant for living’ is what’s stated by Cosmo, who knows exactly what he needs to do in life to achieve his goals. An army-like drum roll beat helps the track run quite smoothly. The track eventually goes out into an electric solo guitar effort.
'Mummy’s been drinking again' shows the darker side of the album coming out here, as Jarvis instigates his portrayal and storytelling skills. It’s quite forward and front-footed and tells things how it is but also at the same time its apologetic as well.
Sonofabitch continues to be pretty slow through the next few numbers and its pretty average, until you get to 'Problems of our own'.
It’s a bellowing vocal from Jarvis to begin the track, almost like he’s by a jukebox in a pub after slinging down a few sambuca’s. It’s a fairly rocky approach, almost hints of Blur outside the clever and skilful lyricism of Jarvis. It concludes with that pub theme but this time of that old organ grinder in the corner sitting in the corner.
'Sort yourself out' moans of Jarvis having an old man’s head on young shoulders, contending with all the problems and situations regarding his family and friends.
‘I’m getting too old for this young man’s game’ demonstrates the struggles he’s faced within his environment.
The album concludes quite spartanly, this showing in Jarvis’ Eminem-esque song 'He only goes out on Tuesdays'. The album finale's lonely stroll is an echoey, acoustic track which has an almost campfire feel about it, as if you’re sitting with your mates on a beach as your rather talented singer/songwriter of a friend tell you all how a walk alone with your thoughts can solve a fair few problems and pickles.
It’s clear that Cosmo Jarvis has a future in entertainment, not just in music but is also pursuing projects in films also, with self made short films already in the bag. As far as the music goes, he certainly has the gusto and determination to spring up a few catchy tracks and a mainstream hit isn’t inevitable either. All in all, the album holds itself together well and has some quite genius lyrics knocking around too. It is refreshing and entwines new approaches to music as well doing the basics pretty well too.
As they say, ‘one to look out for’.
Words: Sean Wright
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