The House That Jack Built - Classic Children's Book for Bedtime Stories & Early Reading | Perfect for Kids' Libraries, Gifts, and Classroom Storytime

Jesca Hoop's 2012 release THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT might sound alien to fans of Hoop. Her previous HUNTING MY DRESS was organic and built with acoustic sounds. In 2007, Tom Waits even described her earlier music as "like going swimming in a lake at night." This new album is a very different sound for the singer/songwriter, but even if the sound has changed, the creative songwriting surely hasn't. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT is a great exercise -- its 11 tracks cover a ton of ground both musically, tonally, and lyrically.The album begins with its lead single "Born To." "Born To" isn't the best song on the album, but it is the poppiest and (perhaps) the most accessible. "Peacemaker," a highlight on the album, is a whirlwind of sonic instrumentation -- there's Middle Eastern tones here, electronic drum samples, rumbling acoustic guitars, and light synthesizers. The song is confident, and like the album, it doesn't shy away from defying convention. "Hospital (Win Your Love)" is poppier tour, and its cheery tone is a far cry from the previous track. "Dig This Record" is a slowburning, angsty powerhouse. It's slow, but it doesn't drag; instead, its tribal-like tone and vocals make it one of the best songs on the album. "D.N.R." is largely acoustic, devoid of any drums; its lyrics are impossible to ignore, and even though the song is relatively barebones, it never feels empty. "When I'm Asleep" is probably the best representative of Hoop's output on THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT -- it ranges in tone, volume, and instrumentation. It's all over the place, but it's held very tightly under Hoop's control.The lyrics by Jesca Hoop on THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT are worth talking about. Like the music employed on the album, the lyrics are all over the place. "Hospital (Win Your Love)" is a narrative about a hospital patient trying to turn the charms on a doctor. "Ode to Banksy" is a sly, winking tribute to UK artist Banksy, with ironic lyrics like "suicide bombers just need a hug." "Dig This Record" is an angry message from a frustrated musician, daring listeners (and music employees) to dig this record. "D.N.R." is an account of a sad person lying in a hospital bed, waiting to die as their family recounts their life.THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT is fantastic. It's a great blend of commercial accessibility and honest, authentic songwriting. Hoop's voice is versatile, serving well on pop-centric songs and experimental, distorted folky barn-burners. I really hope that other fans of Hoop aren't put off by the slightly more electronic direction Hoop has taken here: her songwriting is just as superb as its ever been. Recommended songs to download/sample: "When I'm Asleep," "Dig This Record," and "Born To." These songs aren't the best on the album, but they will give listeners an idea of what to expect from this album. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT might be one of my favorite listens of 2012.(Additional Release Info:)Certain editions of Hoop's album include an additional song entitled "Moon Rock Needle." This song does not seem to appear on the US-Release of THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT, but it does appear on some European versions. "Moon Rock Needle" is a fun track, but it's giddiness overthrow the serious that "When I'm Asleep" establishes for an ending.