Some songs just have it – a certain traveling, almost cinematic quality that I can’t quite put my finger on. It reminds me of a live music concert my wife and I attended in a movie theatre at two in the morning nearly two decades ago. It’s a fleeting moment, a certain flow. Do you know what I mean? Let’s take it a step further and talk about Jacob Rose’s “We Keep Trying (to Make Something New).”
Is it the reverb paired with the percussion at the start? Or the bass that occasionally begins to sing during the verses? The elegance of the word “timber” being sung while that woody-sounding bass haunts the track? And I haven’t even mentioned the positive sparkle of the acoustic guitar, or how the backup vocals elevate Jacob’s already great voice. Could it be the sum of it all? Yes, that has to be it. That is it! Or is it?
Only one thing is certain: “We Keep Trying (to Make Something New)” is a damn beautiful song. Its cadence sends me on a journey. What was sung in the last verse? Who cares! The moment is now. If I want to know, I’ll just have to listen to it again, and again, and again.
This is all the result of having the right crew at the right time. Had a single element clashed, the whole thing would have fallen apart. Jacob Rose’s compelling lead vocals and acoustic guitar are augmented by the work of Ron Hynes on bass, Joshua Van Tassel on drums, and both Yvette Lorainne and Victoria Howse on background vocals. And let’s not forget the impeccable production from Chris Kirby and the smooth sounding mastering by John McLaggan.
Go ahead, give it a listen for yourself. I dare you. Like Lay’s potato chips, you won’t be able to listen just once.
Photo Credit: Bandcamp
Ollie LeBlanc, based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, discovered his love for music in his parents' basement with a box of classic rock LPs. A lifelong fan, his fascination with music has only grown over the past three decades as a musician. Ollie has worn many hats, including bassist, producer, engineer, and photographer. As he matures, his journey has become more about contributing to the musical community and sharing its richness. What better way to give back to the medium that has given him so much!
