Tweet

Album Details

• Artist: Turin Brakes
• Album: JackInABox
• Label: Source/Astralwerks
• Year of Release: 2005
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2005-06-20

Turin Brakes are a UK band that seems like they just can't equal or better their debut album, The Optimist LP. That was a great debut but the group just hasn't been able to follow it up. JackInABox is the third album for the duo of Gale and Olly and unfortunately it does require some work to get into. The album kicks off with "They Can't Buy The Sunshine", which is a song that sounds like it could have been 70's adult rock fare. Gentle jangle guitars guide us through the mellow lyrical content providing a somewhat pleasurable song. The second track, "Red Moon", sounds like it should be on a Keane or an Elbow album. Obviously with that being said, it's really nothing new and exciting. I think the album would have had a much better flow to it if Turin Brakes just left off "Forever". It is a song of little consistency. "Asleep With The Fireflies" is a fun song that seems to have some soul and energy to it. But they try putting the soul in "Last Clown" and fail miserably. JackInABox is at best a mediocre album that might be enough to drive a nail in Turin Brakes coffin. It's too bad that the band can't be a little more critical of their own output. A little better song selection might help the band create more cohesive albums. They do have the ability, as is shown on a handful of songs but limit yourself to an EP if that's all the good material you have.

User Reviews and Comments

Log In or Register to Rate Albums