Album and Artist review by Jesse Stoller, 2009 Idaho State University............................
What makes great art? It's really tough to say; it's a rather subjective topic. My opinion of great art would differ from someone else's opinion. I think I'm the only person in America who thinks Oasis is still a pretty great band post-Morning Glory. That's okay; I'll settle for being vindicated one day. But my definition of great art, whether it comes in the form of music, a painting or a book can oft be boiled down to one word: honesty. I like something where you can capture the artist's voice and hear it clearly, especially when you know the emotion behind it isn't fake. It's probably why I'm obsessed with Joni Mitchell's Blue, or the films of Woody Allen. This is why local musician Jake Tillo has caught my attention, and why you should keep an ear open for him.
Tillo, 21, was born in Idaho Falls. "I taught myself guitar at the age of 15," Tillo said. "I started writing music shortly after." Tillo claims to have about roughly 150 songs in his catalogue, but he only plays about 20 regularly. His best is "Requiem for a Dream," a haunting and soul-searching ballad that is lifted even higher due to Tillo's stark voice. "A lot of my songs are very personal to me," Tillo said. "It's not really intentional. I don't really sit down and think about how I want to write my experiences; I just write and see what happens."
What comes out of Tillo are startling tales of loss; loss of innocence, loss of function, loss of reality and loss of life. "I've seen a lot of my friends destroyed by drugs," Tillo said. "It's a really horrible experience." Tillo, who went through his own drug problem for several years, has a pessimistic outlook on life as a result. "Nothing in this world is untouched by pain," Tillo said. "Nothing."
Tillo takes these emotions and puts them to full effect in his writing. Songs like "False Idols" are unnerving and chilling. It's no surprise that Tillo lists one of his biggest influences as Bob Dylan. "He puts his soul onto a piece of paper for you," Tillo said. "That's what I try to do. I view writing my music as writing my diary if you will." Along with Dylan, Tillo lists Bright Eyes as his favorite lyricists.
Along with Dylan's honesty, Tillo also shares a certain sense of discomfort with the man, in that it's clear that talking about his work is difficult for him. When I saw Bob Dylan live last August, the unofficial poet laureate (as I refer to him) didn't say one word to the audience; he just got out, played, and went off. "I maybe say, 'Thank you' a couple of times, but I when I play live, I just like to play," Tillo said. "I just want to lose myself to the music when I perform."
Now, as talented as I believe Tillo is, to compare him to Dylan himself would be quite egregious; I'm sure Tillo would agree. But Tillo's honesty is refreshing, even though what he sings about is, well, dark. But that's the point. When listening to his music, one feels a connection. There are real emotions in the work that any listener should be able to connect to. There's no shelter from the storm is Tillo's music, it's all the truth, in all of it's ugly ways.
Jake Tillo hopes to release his new album, The Moon Has Bled, by the end of September. He will follow with his own tour.
Jake Tillo( New Song Cover)'s Friend Space (Top 28)
HAha THATS so bad ass that you added me. i was about to go look for you. do you have any cds or anything? my friends andi thoroughly enjoyed your music. amaaazing. =)
so... Story time. I PASSED OUT at work so my moms not letting me go anywhere... Damn. I was pretty excited to hear you play! Well next time ill be there for sure.
