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Kevin Jacks Band :: Kevin Jacks Band
(ind, 2003)
"Just layin' round and drinkin' with my friends / yeah, just playin' and singin'."
This couplet on the opening track, "Show Me," of Kevin Jacks Band's self-titled album perfectly sums up the mood of the record - no frills pop-rock deeply rooted in the classic Americana of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Vocalist/guitarist Kevin Jacks, drummer Rod Galpin, and bassist Chris Bowers have succeeded in making an album that rests comfortably in a number of scenarios from a summer picnic in the backyard to the barstool of your favorite local watering hole.
Songs like "Sunday" and "Guess I Was Wrong" show off KJB's ability to bring polish to even the most familiar melodies. To me, they are reminiscent of and as confident as Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers if he were to strip his songs down to the bare essentials.
Other tracks, like "My Abilities" and "Free" take already strong acoustic-based songs and throw in a bit of electric guitar for a little more punch. Most of these tracks are quick and raw, which is always a good thing when it comes to writing great pop songs.
The few missteps are forgivable (the cheesy and suggestive lyrics of "God Country and Relationships" and "All Over You", respectively) considering some of the gems found on "Kevin Jacks Band." With a gig coming up at 3rd Street Pub in Lee's Summit, MO on January 10th, they should having no problem snatching the attention of the regulars and gaining some new fans in the process. With these kinds of songs, however, they should feel at home anywhere.
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