Review Mike Richeson

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Reviews | Send mail to The Voice Obscure Band From California Hits the Jackpot With New CD Its been two years since Jackpot last released an ablum. If music died the day Buddy Holly's plane went down, today's music stars are desecrating the corpse; turning on the radio today is a lesson in musical sacrilege. For those sick of the current music trends, Jackpot's fourth CD, "F+," is the answer. The band officially released "F+" on May 4, and it is available in stores everywhere. Jackpot is comprised of four members: Rusty Miller, vocals and guitar; John Gutenberger, bass; Mike Curry, drums; and Lee Bob Watson, keyboards and guitar. The band hails from the land of the Governator and has spent the last few years touring across the United States and Europe. The musical aspect of the CD is excellent. Jackpot covers so much musical territory that they are hard to fit into any one genre. "F+" is capable of pleasing almost any crowd. Listening to them causes you to think of many influences including Buddy Holly, Led Zeppelin, the blues, the Beatles, old-school country, The Rolling Stones, Beck and some of today's best acoustic rock. Take, for example, the song "Upside Down." It begins with a two-chord intro that is straight out of a bad Coors commercial. The song then launches into an upbeat pop chorus that you have to listen to. "Euphoria" is a honky-tonk song that gets back to country's roots without the bubblegum pop influence of today's wannabe cowboys. The slide guitars and steady drumming provide the rhythm of an easy-walking horse. "If We Could Go Backwards" is a thundering rock song with distorted guitars and powerful drumming. Miller's distorted voice drives the song with an eerie quality. "Charlie Watts is God" is a seven-minute anthem that slowly builds into the repeated affirmation that Charlie Watts is indeed God. Undoubtedly, this will be a popular encore tune at the end of concerts. Each track on the record brings something new and shows Jackpot's wide range of musical talents. The lyrics are honest, simple and tell interesting, if not always sensible, stories about stolen guitars, love gone bad and the deity of Charlie Watts. Occasionally, the lyrics take a mindless turn. How seriously can anyone take, "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah"? Still, the band's songwriting abilities shine on every song. Jackpot also shows that good songs don't have to be filled with obscene lyrics and tasteless subjects. The CD is the perfect road trip compilation. When the miles start to get long and your companions have exhausted the list of lame topics to talk about, Jackpot saves the day. The weaknesses of the album are few, but Rusty Miller's singing ability won't win any awards. He occasionally strays off key but still wins because he has an irreverent "I don't really care" sneer in his voice. On most of the tracks, however, his raspy voice sounds great. "F+" is not for those looking for three-minute formula tunes. Ten of the 13 tracks easily break the four-minute mark while the band stretches its musical legs. None of the longer songs feel like they drag, which makes Jackpot so fun to listen to. They have a good time on the record and eagerly invite everyone else to join them. Jackpot is unafraid to let their music stand on its own without adding layers of worthless tracks to make them sound good. And they succeed. "F+" deserves a solid A, and if Jackpot finds mainstream success, turning on the radio might become safe once again. Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Reviews | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2005 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.