Thursday, February 10, 2011

THE JACKS - In Danger (1985)

THE JACKS In Danger
Hailing from the atypical land for melodic rock, Omaha, Nebraska, THE JACKS were a prefect example of what the indie scene was all about back in the first half of the eighties in the US.
The brand of commercial AOR / rock&pop plus the obligatory ballad was the formula to record the popular 'mini LP' of those years.
"In Danger" isn't the exception.

Opens with a very classy AOR diamond, "Love's In Danger". As you may note on the credits, all the members did backing vocals, and that is specially notable on this track. The keyboard and guitar interplay is well balanced and compellingly good.
"Give It A Shot" is a buoyant track in the vein of early Loverboy, contagious and catchy.
"Que Linda" has the 'hit' word impressed over it. This mid-tempo ballad is near perfect example of melodic AOR, with a shimmering and grandiose quality comparable to Tommy Shaw in style.
"Maria" is very poppish with a syncopated rhythm, a cool song that remembers me DVC and other early '80s bands.
"Tommy Is A Romeo" sounds absolutely as The Cars mixed with Cheap Trick. Wouldn't be out of place on Loverboy's debut either.
"I Can't Wait" is a nice rocker dominated by guitars, a very simple song with good backing vocals arrangement.
As bonuses are included the 'radio edit' versions of "Que Linda" (also with a different mix, I prefer the original) and "Love's In Danger"

"In Danger" it's a fine and cool mini LP that represents an era.
It has very good vocals (leads shared between two members), catchy and melodious harmonies, and a great crisp & clear production for an indie.
Nice.


01 - Love's In Danger
02 - Give It A Shot
03 - Que Linda, What A Beauty
04 - Maria
05 - Tommy Is A Romeo
06 - I Can't Wait
07 - Que Linda (Radio Edit)
08 - Love's In Danger (Radio Edit)

Dan Bird : guitars, keyboards, lead vocals, backing vocals
Robert Figueroa : guitars, keyboards, lead vocals, backing vocals
Dan Palensky : bass guitar, backing vocals
Tom Kenney : drums, percussion, backing vocals




THE JACKS - In Danger

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4 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Bought it at Retrospect and loved it

Anonymous said...

Where can I buy this CD. Listened to part of it and cannot find it on google search. Who sells this?

Anonymous said...

nobody sells it.

Anonymous said...

Buy it here! http://www.retrospectrecords.com/products/the_jacks.html