This
review could end where Jebediah begin their self-titled
third album with the call to “give it up for rock
‘n’ roll” in opening salvo “N.D.C.”. The successor
to Of Someday Shambles, Jebediah is
a better album for it retains the good songs and
energy, as Jebediah consolidate and expand their
style.
Early
to hit the listener’s ears is first single “Fall
Down” - its pop urgency and infectious “oohs” set
the agenda for the rest of the album. Jebediah maintain
the energy level through the punk-pop duo of “N.D.C.”
and “Eveready”, with the white noise augmented by
Chris Daymond’s melodic guitar lines. The second
single, “Nothing Lasts Forever”, is equal to Of
Someday Shambles’s second single “Feet Touch
The Ground”; both utilise a loud-soft dynamic without
sounding clichéd and are outstanding for their melody
and rawness.
There
is no doubt that Jebediah are enthusiastic (demonstrated
by the rather irritating between-track-studio chatter)
but occasionally they are overzealous. “Yesterday
When I Was Brave” - a seven-minute epic ending with
a piano coda reminiscent of The Beatles’ epochal
“Tomorrow Never Knows” - manages to survive agreeably
its own self-importance, but underlines the instrumental
competence of Jebediah. “Gansta” is a simplistic
character study fortunately redeemed by the killer
hook “little big lie” through the chorus.
Kevin
Mitchell continues to grow in confidence as a songwriter,
able to move from punk thrash to more mellow songs
with increasing ease and depth. His singing has
improved, although its nasal quality will continue
to grate new listeners. Vanessa Thornton’s bass
retains its interesting bouncing-slide quality,
although some more fluid melody would be a happy
addition.
Jebediah
contains many excellent rock songs, however its
highlights would have to be the acoustically-based
“October” and “Country Holiday Song”. Both are incongruous
within the Jebediah canon for their optimistic sentiments.
The latter is a song made for driving with an elbow
on the windowsill; the melody is wistfully beautiful,
whilst the subtle backing vocals are a revelation.
The former surpasses Of Someday Shambles’s
equally sublime “Please Leave” because of its pure
joy, underlined by its rollicking beat and singalong
melody. Most delightful, however, is the use of
handclaps and “ba ba ba” vocals; the optimism is
tangible. This is perhaps the most important difference
between Of Someday Shambles and Jebediah;
the contentment in which Jebediah found themselves
has fostered songs infectious in terms of music
and intent.
Track Listing:
1. N.D.C.
2. Fall Down
3. Number One
4. Nothing Lasts Forever
5. Eveready
6. October
7. Yesterday When I Was Brave
8. Gangsta
9. If You Want It
10. Country Holiday Song
11. Ricochet
12. Baltic Ballet
Reviewed by Michael Tran
