This is a splendid album and I feel a bit guilty taking so long to get round to it. With being late to it, I thought I would have a look around at what others were saying about it and that is when my frustration with the general state of reviewing kicked in.
Most reviews were cut and paste of what Jason had already written on the Bandcamp page. It is an album about the ups and downs, largely downs, of the past couple of years and that also invited amateur psychology. I was left thinking "What About The Music?" because this is what reviewing should be about and this album is really really good.
So let me tell you. This is great Pop Rock with the emphasis on melodic Indie Guitar Rock that is equally at home in IRS land as it is when it goes Psych Pop or Jangle Pop. It is beautifully arranged and performed, built on big chorusses, memorable riffs and some great playing.
The subjects are tackled in a fine lyrically adept way, yet the seriousness of the subject doesn't make this a woe is me affair and that is partly because of the quality and sheer catchiness of the arrangement. From the chiming opener, Red Flag Surrender and all its jangly pace to the wonderful jaunty closer, Drained, which may be the catchiest thing here, all 12 songs resonate.
In choosing 3 songs to embed, I could choose any and be delighted. Cruel Girls Are Wrong is built around a killer Psych Pop Riff, Insane Fucker is very early R.E.M. built around an 80s Indie Riff, Lightning Zwelhander sounds like something out of Glasgow in 1989.
Sweet n Sour Luv instrumentally sounds like something from 90s darlings Space, but the vibe is very 60s UK Beat. Slow Buildings is New Jeresy's Jason Legacy and although this is his 7th album, it sounds as fresh as a debut. Wall to Wall excellence!
You can listen to and buy the album
here. It cries out for a physical release.
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