The Jokers – The Big Rock & Roll Show
Details: 2009, Nineteenth Century, CD
There’s beauty in brevity here. By limiting their debut album to just nine tracks lasting a little over half an hour the Liverpool band deliver nothing in the way of filler, every track having something of note about it and whilst influences may seem to be worn somewhat obviously throughout your left simply wanting to play the thing again as opposed to shelving it and going back to those who provide the influence.
Apparently it’s the first thing Mike Fraser worked on after AC/DC’s “Black Ice” and there’s hints of that band with the directness of opener “V.I.B.E.” and in the basic structures of other pieces that make up the rockier fare on the disc. “Super Groover” for example begins as a nice catchy piece none too challenging before developing and nodding to T.Rex, as the title track also does, whilst offering some obvious hints of Liverpool’s favourite sons as well. It’s not the only time The Beatles spring to mind, largely thanks to some excellent vocals, whilst probably their biggest rivals of the sixties spring are recalled when the raunchy rock of one The Stones’ finest pieces “Sympathy For The Devil” pervades the excellent “Star Raver”. The hint of a Zeppelin influence creeps in as well but for a change we’re not talking about a chugging “Kashmir” riff or a “Rock ‘n’ Roll” like rattle. Instead they capture a vibe akin to “Thank You” and other “LZIII” acoustic pieces on the stunning “Ocean Of Kings” and recall the dreamy “Dazed And Confused” flavour on the opening of the nearly as good “Hell To L.A.”.
Clearly then its another retro rock ride, and unashamedly so, but for me that’s no bad thing when its done this well. For all the names that hit the mind whilst listening there’s enough of their own mark to make it sound fresh rather than simply retreads. It’s definitely a case of quality over quantity which makes a refreshing change these days and there’s no doubt in my mind I’ll be at the very least considering this album come the year end lists. It’s an excellent debut that deserves to be a hit critically and has more than a fighting chance of getting some commercial interest too.
Highlight: Oceans Of Kings
Score: 4/5
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