Jaill
(Sub Pop)
Milwaukee psych-popsters Jaill have cleverly conceived a melding of classic garage, some indie-rock and early Brit-beat without being at all clichéd or derivative in the execution. Truth be told, basement rock would factually be more accurate than garage rock, as the quartet recorded their first album, (as Jail) a 12-song LP, in the basement of an old funeral home and had many other basement gigs under their belt. With jangly, energetic and upbeat numbers, the combo rock out with wild abandon. These Jaill birds are challenging to pigeon-hole, as their music lightly borrows from vintage genre's, but is still wholly original. (Nic Armstrong & The Thieves are the only band you might closely compare them to.)
I was wowed when I first heard #There's No Sky (Oh My My)#, and not to insinuate myself into the narrative, nudged several small, indie labels I was acquainted with, to give them a listen. Cue; crickets chirping. Fast forward to the finish of last year's West coast tour in Seattle, Sub Pop A&R, familiar with their album, checked out their show, liked what they heard and invited the guys to swing by their office for a sit-down the next day. As gracious hosts, hot pizza pies were provided, and as perfect guests, the band arrived with donuts in hand. Within a few weeks, they were inked to the label and ready to hit the studio to record what would be the 11 song ‘Burn.'
Their overall sound has benefited from the pro production, obviously, as it wasn't recorded in a basement. Vinnie Kircher not only shines with his vocals, but is practically radioactive with his skuzzy, sarcastic lyrics. He also pumps out some fine, reverb-y surf guitar sounds on his Gretsch, through a 60's Ampeg ReverRocket amp. Ryan Adams is well-armed with a Rickenbacker on most of this album, and bassist Andrew Harris is outstanding at live shows with his heart-pounding playing, not content with just keeping beat in the background. "Demon" has an infectious, rompy riff reminiscent of the Munster's theme. "Snake Shakes" had me thinking of Harlem or Soft Pack. A synthesizer is added to good effect on "How's The Grave" for some embellishing filigree. "On The Beat" slides into some sweet surf-psychedelia. Bands from Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin have a solid history of rocking hard, and Jaill is helping to bolster that legacy. Besides those frigid winters and humid summers, one suspects that it's all in the latitude.
DOWNLOAD: "How's The Grave", "Everyone's Hip." BARRY ST. VITUS
