River Jacks "River Jacks"
Release date: 20 December 2014
Running time: 25:40, 11 tracks
Something is happening in Alberta, Canada. Last year a couple of fantastic CDs from this province were reviewed here: Craic the Lens “The Cannon” (Calgary) and Whiskey Wagon “Somewhere under the Table” (Edmonton). Only two months and a half have gone by in 2015 and we have got another couple of brilliant albums from Calgarian bands: The Shillelaghs “Bury Me at Sea” and River Jacks self-titled album.
River Jacks are Kurt Jensen (bass), Mikey Blotto (drums), Jordan Barrett (guitars), Ben Olson (harmonica), Spencer Jo Burgess (guitars) and Mandrill Shannon (accordion). The band was founded in 2012 and all of the members are well-known in the Calgarian (folk-)punk scene. For instance, Spencer and Kurt played in Rum Runner and Mandrill played in The Shillelaghs.
I have listened to their album several times and the more I listen to it, the more addictive it becomes. The selection of songs and the running order is perfect, with a kicks-ass first track and an excellent closing number. The River Jacks accordion led folk-punk songs shift from the Between the Wars territory (“Of Friendship and Alcohol” and “Hard Saying not Knowing”) to The Killigans end (“East Forest Village” and “Generation One”) passing through The Bloody Irish Boys field (“Letters Between Brothers”). There are also festive numbers like “Burning City”, with an infectious harmonica part, and hardcore songs like “Bomb the Landlord”. My choice: “Be A Man”, a lively song with great backing vocals, the fast-paced “Letters Between Brothers” and the catchy “Generation One”.
The six guys released their debut album last Christmas and it’s available in both vinyl and digital versions. There are 11 songs plus a super-secret ultra-bonus track. The LP comes with 12" insert and was specifically mastered for vinyl. It was recorded by Lorrie Matheson at Arch studio and produced by Lorrie and the band.
Last year a non-Celtic folk-punk album got rave reviews and was at the top of the best of 2014 lists: Roughneck Riot ”Out of Anger“. River Jacks have a different instrumentation, but they shared the same non-Celtic folk-punk approach. And I feel that their self-titled album will be on my top10 at the end of the year.
Release date: 20 December 2014
Running time: 25:40, 11 tracks
Something is happening in Alberta, Canada. Last year a couple of fantastic CDs from this province were reviewed here: Craic the Lens “The Cannon” (Calgary) and Whiskey Wagon “Somewhere under the Table” (Edmonton). Only two months and a half have gone by in 2015 and we have got another couple of brilliant albums from Calgarian bands: The Shillelaghs “Bury Me at Sea” and River Jacks self-titled album.
River Jacks are Kurt Jensen (bass), Mikey Blotto (drums), Jordan Barrett (guitars), Ben Olson (harmonica), Spencer Jo Burgess (guitars) and Mandrill Shannon (accordion). The band was founded in 2012 and all of the members are well-known in the Calgarian (folk-)punk scene. For instance, Spencer and Kurt played in Rum Runner and Mandrill played in The Shillelaghs.
I have listened to their album several times and the more I listen to it, the more addictive it becomes. The selection of songs and the running order is perfect, with a kicks-ass first track and an excellent closing number. The River Jacks accordion led folk-punk songs shift from the Between the Wars territory (“Of Friendship and Alcohol” and “Hard Saying not Knowing”) to The Killigans end (“East Forest Village” and “Generation One”) passing through The Bloody Irish Boys field (“Letters Between Brothers”). There are also festive numbers like “Burning City”, with an infectious harmonica part, and hardcore songs like “Bomb the Landlord”. My choice: “Be A Man”, a lively song with great backing vocals, the fast-paced “Letters Between Brothers” and the catchy “Generation One”.
The six guys released their debut album last Christmas and it’s available in both vinyl and digital versions. There are 11 songs plus a super-secret ultra-bonus track. The LP comes with 12" insert and was specifically mastered for vinyl. It was recorded by Lorrie Matheson at Arch studio and produced by Lorrie and the band.
Last year a non-Celtic folk-punk album got rave reviews and was at the top of the best of 2014 lists: Roughneck Riot ”Out of Anger“. River Jacks have a different instrumentation, but they shared the same non-Celtic folk-punk approach. And I feel that their self-titled album will be on my top10 at the end of the year.
Tracklist:
01. Be a Man 02:22
02. Heads Up 01:59
03. Letters Between Brothers 01:52
04. Of Friendships and Alcohol 01:47
05. Burning City 02:19
06. East Forest Village 03:10
07. Bomb the Landlord 00:51
08. Dragonfire 02:30
09. Generation One 02:46
10. Stars Guide Sailors 02:37
11. Hard Saying Not Knowing 03:02
CBC
Interview on Beat Route
Click to buy:
Bandcamp
Review by Kinksmarkham
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