Heavily influenced by the music found in his parents record collection, German musician Jody Cooper has released an album titled Serenades and Odes to a Cracked World, an album full of thoughtful and memorable songs that make his audience think about the world around them. Cooper started his musical education by picking up the violin at the age of six, while eventually taking on the guitar and bass. Cooper was a self-employed musician until 2006 when he decided to go back to university to receive his bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Liverpool.
Since then, Cooper has been on the path to becoming an ambitious musician. On Serenades…, Cooper has dropped 13 folk-rock songs that not only show his sense of melody but serious and ambitious musicianship. Beginning with “I Forsake the Joneses” the track begins with a department store employee leading customers to believe that happiness is only a step away once you step inside. While a simple and often true message, we get a feel for Cooper’s innate and raw talent that draws us into the music, without leaving his audience stuck trying to interpret his songs. Immediately following is the catchy rock tune, “Leave the Light On,” and with a biting snare drum giving the track its punch, listeners get to experience Cooper play harder material, a good shake up after exposure to his more folk influenced tunes.
“Silence” Cracked World’s…ninth number begins with a loopy piano lick that demonstrates Cooper’s ability on the piano, and while simple, fans will delight in getting to hear the entire gamut of Cooper’s musical talents. Closing out Cooper’s latest offering is “Song for the Oppressed,” a seven-minute jam that reverts to the striking feel we heard on “Leave the Light On.” While the song’s repetitiveness drags the ending down, the album is a colorful listen, leaving us to believe that Cooper is a musician to watch for as Serenades and Odes to a Cracked World makes its way into the hands of fans.
Listen to “Leave The Light On” below.
