Press
Preview - REVERBfest at Lock & Keel - Red Jacket Mine
Seattle Weekly (http://www.seattleweekly.com/) - October 1, 2008
by Brian J. Barr
Having lived in Seattle only since 2004, Lincoln Barr has already found a firm place in Seattle’s pop scene. With his band, Red Jacket Mine, Barr has gigged relentlessly around town, perfecting what he calls “twilit pop,” which really is a more poetic way of saying they sound like a mellow folk-informed pop band with a tinge of British psychedelia. Heavy on the layered harmonies and mournfully pretty melodies, comparisons have been made to that other local lite-pop concern, Grand Archives. I hear a lot more Downpilot in them, however, especially in Barr’s whispery late-night vocals. Fitting then, that Downpilot’s own Paul Hiraga is a guest on their most recent album, Hello, Old Cloud. Currently, Red Jacket Mine is at work on another album, being produced by none other than ex-Posie Ken Stringfellow.
(Big thanks to Brian and all at the Weekly! - LB)
Review - Red Jacket Mine - Hello, Old Cloud
Unfinished web zine (http://www.liepaper.com) - May 19, 2008
by Hugh Miller
If you want to be technical, Hello, Old Cloud is songwriter Lincoln Barr’s third full length under the Red Jacket Mine name. Barr’s first two albums were recorded via four-track and self released. When I reviewed The Daylight Moon (Barr’s 2nd effort) in 2004, a promising foundation was hinted at. That promise continued to build when Barr moved from Missouri to Seattle and acquired a full band for 2006’s Starboard Meets The Sound EP. The improved production values of that release take an even bigger step forward on Hello, Old Cloud. This is the true birth of Red Jacket Mine.
Hello, Old Cloud reveals how much Barr has grown as a songwriter in the last five years. His band, which consists of Ryan Chapman, Patrick Porter, and Andy Salzman (who has been playing with Barr since The Daylight Moon) deserve a share of the credit. They have helped bring out Barr’s broad influences, all of which are on display. Prior to writing this review, I learned that Ken Stringfellow of The Posies and Big Star would be co-producing their next record. This seems like a perfect fit when taking into consideration that I can hear the spirit and energy of both those artists on Hello, Old Cloud.
I’ve always appreciated Barr’s vocals and they are in strong form throughout the record. Bandmate Patrick Porter steps up on backing vocals, providing some excellent harmonies, especially on “Jesus’ House” and “22 Rose Petal Place.” An early version of the latter song appeared on Starboard Meets The Sound, but it sounds even better here. I also appreciate “Don’t (Settle Your Debts On The Phone),” a stripped-down track that recalls Barr’s early work. The confidence and general consistency of Hello, Old Cloud overshadows its missteps, of which there are surprisingly few. Although I believe that this is a very solid record, I am confident that Red Jacket Mine are just getting started.
(Many thanks to Hugh at Unfinished for kind permission to reproduce this review. - LB)
Weekend! Music - Red Jacket Mine (Doug Fir Lounge, 3/15/08)
Portland Tribune (http://www.portlandtribune.com) - March 14, 2008
by Barbara Mitchell
The golden twang of Laurel Canyon seems to be making a resurgence in modern alternative music, with bands like Grand Archives infusing their laid-back, summery pop with a slight country glow.
Add Seattle’s Red Jacket Mine to the list of folks to watch in this genre. With an excellent new album just about to be released, Lincoln Barr and company have been slowly generating a (much deserved) regional buzz.
“Hello, Old Cloud” drifts along languidly, buoyed by Barr’s slightly fragile voice and intelligent lyrics. Like spiked lemonade, it’s refreshing and intoxicating.
(Very special thanks to Barbara and the Tribune! - LB)
Up & Coming - Jonah, Chris Robley & the Fear of Heights, Red Jacket Mine (Doug Fir Lounge, 3/15/08)
Portland Mercury (http://www.portlandmercury.com) - March 13, 2008
by Ned Lannamann
Led by singer/songwriter Lincoln Barr, Seattle’s Red Jacket Mine plays thoughtful folk rock that’s vaguely tinted by ’60s British psychedelia. Rather than coming off as whimsical and baroque, though, their new album, Hello, Old Cloud, at times sounds ponderous and restrained. Barr’s vocals are confident, but never fully gain purchase; he keeps to a gentle croon throughout, which sometimes sounds just too darn nice. There are some flavorful pedal steel licks by Patrick Porter, particularly on “22 Rose Petal Place” and “Philistine,” and inventive organ and vibraphone parts skillfully interlock with subtle string arrangements. There’s not a lot to sink one’s teeth into, though, and one can only imagine that when the band takes the stage, they’ll drop the studied cautiousness of the studio, throw back a few slugs of whiskey, and get down to the business of having fun.
(Thanks to Ned and the Portland Mercury! - LB)
On the Town - Concerts (Crocodile Café)
Seattle Metropolitan Magazine (http://www.seattlemet.com) - January 2008
Jan 4 at 9 | Red Jacket Mine | The local gang is on the cusp of releasing debut album Hello, Old Cloud, but their confident alt-country orchestrations sound like they’ve been around for much longer, as do songwriter Lincoln Barr’s mature lyrics and smooth delivery.
(Incidentally, this kind little write-up previewed a show that never happened! Our beloved Crocodile closed its doors suddenly in mid-December, and we ended up playing the High Dive the same night. But we appreciate the sentiment all the same! - LB)
Up & Coming - Red Jacket Mine, North Twin, the Cloves (Crocodile Café, 6/22/06)
The Stranger (http://www.thestranger.com) - June 21, 2006
by Kurt B. Reighley
Red Jacket Mine is the stage name of songwriter Lincoln Barr, plus whatever up-for-it folks he can rope into accompanying him, such as drummer Andy Salzman and pedal-steel player Patrick Porter. After two self-released albums and a 2005 relocation to the greater Seattle area, RJM has recently issued Starboard Meets the Sound, a delicate, but not precious, six-song EP that showcases Barr’s nimble, low-key guitar playing and hushed vocals, which occasionally waft into falsetto. The second track on Starboard, “Second Chance (For a Third Square Meal),” is low-wattage indie pop that recalls a young Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5)… which is a very fine thing for a newcomer.
(Thanks to Kurt and all at The Stranger for kind permission to reproduce this review. - LB)
Review - Red Jacket Mine - Starboard Meets the Sound
Unfinished web zine (http://www.liepaper.com) - May 8, 2006
by Hugh Miller
Starboard Meets The Sound, a six-song EP, is the first Red Jacket Mine release since 2003’s The Daylight Moon. That album, which Barr recorded by himself on a four-track with the help of Andy Salzman, displayed a strong allegiance to The Beatles, Big Star, and Elliott Smith. In other words, Red Jacket Mine is my kind of music. Since then, Barr has moved to Seattle and acquired a backing band consisting of Salzman and Patrick Porter. Barr considers this to be the first real Red Jacket Mine record. If that is the case, then he is off to a great start.
I can’t get over how confident Barr’s voice sounds on Starboard. Barr describes the disc as a “live-in-the-makeshift-studio EP.” The production, provided by Eric Daw, definitely adds to the fuller sound that Barr is going for, while still retaining a raw, lo-fi atmosphere. None of the songs are bad, with the melancholy title track standing as one of Barr’s best. “Every Time That I’ve Tried,” which contains a towering solo in the middle, also caught my eye. Barr has come into his own with this strong release.
(Many thanks to Hugh at Unfinished for kind permission to reproduce this review. - LB)