Jahan - Triple Creek

Jahan

Triple Creek
self-released; 2016

4.0 out of 5

By J Simpson

"Won't you sing the Lord's Prayer for the fallen / Won't you say a prayer for me," sings Jahan, a San Francisco-based Iranian-American duo comprised of Kamran Atabai and S Kazemi, on Triple Creek's chilling album closer "The Mountain." They don't just stop there, either, going on to say, "Won't you say Satan's prayer for the fallen / Won't you say his prayer for me?"

The message is clear - say a prayer, to whoever might be listening, to help get through the day.

This rings so true with what music does for so many of us. Music transmogrifies the events of our lives into something meaningful, tangible, grasp-able. It is, quite literally, turning lemons into lemonade.

Once you see this theme in Jahan's excellent debut, it is impossible to ignore. "Won't you take my hand /lift me out of this," they inquire on album opener "Lift Me On Up." This theme of redemption and positive transformation is everywhere, when you listen closely.

Listening closely to Triple Creek is a joy and a pleasure. It might even be impossible to do anything BUT, if you happen to appreciate interesting, intricate arrangements and thoughtful lyrics. Jahan's downbeat guitars and plaintiff vocals are joined by trumpet and saxophone miniatures as well as moments of pure poetry. There are even some moments of levity with outtakes of some '70s radio DJ on "Where Are You Now."

​The levity is much appreciated as a spoonful of sugar to help the dour, downbeat mood of much of Triple Creek. Musically, Jahan fall somewhere between early Cat Power and the mighty stentorian metal of Shellac with simple but deadly effective crushing hypnotic guitar. There are even some romantic Nick Cave moments, like the piano led "Kansas City."

​Triple Creek stems from some dark soil that much is sure, but Jahan are reaching for the sun. They're clearly on the upswing, if their musical quality is any indication. Here's your chance to support some excellent, emotive, thoughtful indie-fueled psychedelic folk rock while they're still young and it matters most!

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