My Jerusalem

Gone for Good

One Little Indian

Released: Monday 6 September 2010

This album does not break new ground, it wont sell a million copies and I doubt it will ever be described as 'the album of a generation' but what it can be described as is a cracking good record that ticks all the right boxes.

Crafted by a talented collective armed with a menagerie of guitars, trumpets, strings, drums and keys it's hard to believe that this is not only the debut album of a recently formed band but it's also not the members main project. Fronted by singer/songwriter Jeff Klein and consisting of members of Twilight Singers, Great Northern and The Polyphonic Spree to name a few, My Jerusalem manage to come together in euphonious union and outshine any of the bands' previous efforts by a long way. Labelling this as a 'side project' seems like an insult to an album that any band would be proud of.

Gone for Good consists of 11 potential singles with each song offering something new, an eclectic mix bonded together with integrity, texture and good song writing. 'Sleepwalking' and 'Valley of Casualties' will no doubt draw numerous comparisons to Arcade Fire for their orchestral anthemic qualities. 'Shake the Devil' builds from a rather sweet sounding intro into a riotous whistle-fest topped of with strained and screaming vocals courtesy of Klein, whose singing style is used to its full potential on 'Sweet Chariot', a track that utilises Klein's raw and anguished vocals, catchy trumpet riffs and extended drum rolls to carry the song to a breathtaking crescendo which ends with a National-style trumpet solo. The softer side of Klein's voice is heard on 'Proposition' a beautiful self-deprecating ballad which sees Klein sharing vocals with bassist Ashley, backed by a jazzy saxophone.

Just like Goldilocks and her porridge, I've been searching for an album that is just right in everyway and I think I've found it in Gone for Good. Effortless and laidback without being too cold, eclectic and exciting without being too hot to keep up with. What My Jerusalem have created here is the perfect mix of melancholy and merriment, a genuine, unpretentious and warming album.