At this point in Ball of Wax 44 we’ve strayed into some pretty strange territory, pushing at the outer limits of what you might call music. Jon Rooney/Virgin of the Birds’ a capella version of “Cardinal Points” takes us some of the way back toward the realm of song, but keeps a few toes squarely in droney soundscape territory, which is a-OK by me. Most of you haven’t heard the original “Cardinal Points,” as it’s on an album that hasn’t come out yet, but suffice it to say this treatment is quite a departure. As always, we hear Jon’s distinctive baritone intoning his eruditely obscure lyrics, but instead of upbeat pop driven by trebly guitar and punchy Motown bass we get lush beds of supple, beguiling, delay-drenched oohs and ahhs, expanding to include a plaintive descending melody in the last third. I almost wish I could unhear the original so I could completely appreciate this version on its own merits. The rest of you, make sure to absorb this one while you can, and then hear it anew on VotB’s new record this fall.
I’m not sure which version we’ll get at the Ball of Wax 44 release show, June 11th at the Fremont Abbey, but it’ll be great either way. Get your tickets now!