SPECTRE & CROWN 2008
"... unforgettable ... an extraordinary blossoming ... Clarinets, pianos and strings billow out over 54 sublime minutes of what is their best work yet."
****
The Ticket / Irish Times
"A rich and spectacular comeback album, this is The Jimmy Cake’s crowning achievement."
****
Sunday Business Post
"This record is simply a work of extreme orchestral splendour."
****
Sunday Tribune
"It'd take at least 5 years to produce something as accomplished and inventive as this!"
****1/2
Hot Press
"An indelible chronicle of nine musicians contributing to a singular and necessary vision"
State
"... it has been worth the wait, as Spectre & Crown is easily their finest work to date. From the opening piano chord of Red Tony, to the final note of Last Breath, The Jimmy Cake hardly put a foot wrong."
Totally Dublin
"Spectre & Crown is The Jimmy Cake's most arresting album to date."
Sunday Times
"By turns minimalistic and multi-layered, Spectre & Crown has moments of astonishing beauty. There are plenty of captivating tracks too - soaring and emotive."
****
Day & Night / Irish Independent
"... one of the most coherent, beautiful albums of the year so far."
entertainment.ie
"I cannot convey how enjoyable Spectre & Crown is."
brainwashed.com
"The album is a moving, sweepingly beautiful, orchestral epic with nine life-enhancing tracks of such diversity and scope that it’s hard to fathom that just nine people made it.
... few records will reach the heights that this royally brilliant piece of work reaches. An instant and longterm classic."
10/10
Westmeath Examiner
"Give up your job, lose your friends and spend all day with the headphones on as you scour the earth on your quest - you will not find a better track this year than 'Red Tony' ... here is a piece so epic and emotive that it ranks with anything the legends have come up with ... 'Jetta's Palace', is so urgent and infectious that the clock radio should crank it out first thing every morning, followed by 'Hugs for Buddy'. And at the other end of the day 'Collapsing Cloud Night at the Starry Sky' would soothe anything which has gone .. you hit the pillow ... The musicianship is superb, their potential colossal ... it's not too early to start buying the Christmas presents."
****
RTÉ.ie
"Once you let go, it's a glorious experience."
****
The Dubliner
SUPERLADY EP 2003
DUBLIN GONE. EVERYBODY DEAD. 2002
"Roll up, roll up for Dublin's favourite instrumental apocalypse. The Jimmy Cake rapidly follow up their 2001 debut 'Brains' with the awesome scorching thunder of 'Dublin Gone. Everybody Dead.', a real humdinger of a noisefest which firmly refutes charges of noodling self-indulgence and stays well wide of any meandering musical cul de sacs, apart from the very best kind.
... 'Dublin Gone. Everybody Dead.' will bring a stoned tiger grin to your face."
9/10
Hot Press
BRAINS 2001