Like most budding bands sprouting on the fertile Tooth & Nail soil—which has already sprouted plenty of new acts this year—San Jose's Fighting Jacks attempt to make a splash with their evocatively-titled debut,
I can hear the complaints already: "But do we
The trio of sped-up rockers opening the Jacks' debut album immediately poses a problem for the band, since it prevents them from establishing an original, distinctive sound. All three songs sound as if the Foo Fighters' self-titled album and Jimmy Eat World's oft-emulated self-titled release collided into one homogenous blend of easygoing, youthful rock anthems. "Farewell Senator" is one of those tunes, and though its lyrics about abusive church leaders seek to make it rise above the status quo, the simple semi-rocking arrangement brings down its overall value.
Other selections simply fall into modern rock territory. "Year of the Dead," one such tune, describes the day when Jesus will return "with a knife so bright/cutting through the darkest of hour and the men that fell … shining justice down/Overhead washing away for a better day." Those familiar with the opening strains of Creed's bombastic epic "Who's Got My Back" will probably recognize the intro to the curiously titled "Chercher," which starts softly and sinisterly, only to explode by what seems to be the chorus of the song-very much like the Creed tune. From here on out, the album settles into a slow groove, trying its hand at bloated, purportedly pensive ballads that say a lot lyrically, but leave no lasting impression musically ("Whirlpools," "…of a Dear Friend").
After ten listens to