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Sleepy
Jackson
New
Release: Lover
By Rachel
Cox
Sleepy
who? This is exactly what I said when I was given the
copy of Sleepy Jackson’s new CD entitled “Lovers.”
But soon after I listened to the CD I found the native
Australian band was actually something I really enjoyed.
On the Lovers CD, Sleepy Jackson has created an eclectic
feel of different music eras and moods. From one song
to the next you never know what type of instrument might
influence the song. The members from Australia, where
they have gained much praise over the years, have also
gained much of their influence from punk rock legend Nick
Cave. In songs like “Rain Falls for Wind,” and
“Tell the Girls,” the punk rock influence is
clearly heard. Both songs are also ones that could either
be labeled pure punk or rock alongside bands like Audioslave
and Chevelle. Besides the punk on the CD, you will find
instances of acoustic and steel guitars.
The lyrics of “Miniskirt,” are oddly funny as
the lead singer describes his life as a girl, and how
he would wear a miniskirt into town. Later in “Old
Dirt Farmer,” I was surprised when the song ironically
broke into a sort of fun sing-along country song with
the fiddle, piano and steel guitar all in harmony. One
of my favorite songs off the CD was “Vampire Racecourse.”
It is a great, fresh tune, almost like a mix between White
Stripes and Rolling Stones with a little bit of Jimi Hendrix
on the side.
That is just what makes this band worthy of your listening
time. When you think that you know how to classify them
by what type of music is being played, along comes a song
like “Apples,” that throws everything off. This,
in today’s industry, is what listeners want; fresh,
a break from the same old crap we have been mumbling through
over the years in the Pop Revolution. Given their colorful
background of influences and mentors, Sleepy Jackson has
created not just a CD for a generation or a certain listening
audience. Sleepy Jackson has created an album worthy of
all the generated praise. It is something anyone can listen
to and find enjoyment in, whether you like the Beatles,
Billy Idol, Bob Dylan or even Johnny Cash. I am sure you
will find that Sleepy Jackson’s Lovers is something
worth buying and not just downloading. So give them a
chance and I promise you what you hear will be anything
but what you expected. |
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Special
to the Skiff
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| Australia’s
Sleepy Jackson, Luke Steele (vocals/guitar), Malcolm
Clark (drums/vocals), J Cortez (bass/vocals) will
be March 17 in Dallas at the Gypsy Tea Room. |
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