On Overtones, Jack Allsopp sings about his teenage experiences blending the fine line between sensitive, confessional and fun, upbeat music that should resonate with every adolescent and adult. "Writer's Block" begins with... more » Jack lamenting about his inability to write anything. As the song progresses Jack changes his lament into a groovy statement of his desire to party. On first listen, "Starz In Their Eyes," the lead single, seems entirely lighthearted with a funky beat jumping in the background, but it is actually about how young people turn to celebrity worship to cover up their own problems. The song spent four weeks in the Top 5 airplay chart and peaked with an impressive #2 on the UK pop charts. The multi-dimension of this track is present in every other song on Overtones' 12 tracks. It is far too easy for a pop musician to create songs that are fun to listen to and groove to, but it truly marks the arrival of a talented artist when these songs make more than just a momentary impression on one's mind.« less
On Overtones, Jack Allsopp sings about his teenage experiences blending the fine line between sensitive, confessional and fun, upbeat music that should resonate with every adolescent and adult. "Writer's Block" begins with Jack lamenting about his inability to write anything. As the song progresses Jack changes his lament into a groovy statement of his desire to party. On first listen, "Starz In Their Eyes," the lead single, seems entirely lighthearted with a funky beat jumping in the background, but it is actually about how young people turn to celebrity worship to cover up their own problems. The song spent four weeks in the Top 5 airplay chart and peaked with an impressive #2 on the UK pop charts. The multi-dimension of this track is present in every other song on Overtones' 12 tracks. It is far too easy for a pop musician to create songs that are fun to listen to and groove to, but it truly marks the arrival of a talented artist when these songs make more than just a momentary impression on one's mind.
CD Reviews
Starz in Jack's eyes!
Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 01/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"UK artist Just Jack arrived in 2007 to fill the void left by fellow Brit, The Streets. With his half spoken/rapped/sung vocal style done in a pronounced English accent and set to stomping club beats, his album "Overtones" is filled with catchy tunes with witty lyrics.
Opening cut, the groovy "Writer's block" is a perfect example of this. Other standouts are the more downbeat "Disco friends" (where he sounds a bit like the Pet Shop Boys), the UK #2 hit "Starz in their eyes" (with a disco sound, and lyrics about the pitfalls of fame), "I talk too much", the electronic hip hop tinged "Symphony of sirens", and the retro funky dance-y "No time".
Slowing the tempo down are the cinematic, horn sprinkled "Lost", the lovely acoustic "Mourning morning" (which finds him singing for a change, and features sweeping strings in the chorus), and spacey soul of "Spectacular Failures" (nice harmonies and horn solo).
An impressive CD and one of my favourite dance releases of the past 12 months...
"
He Did it Again!
Roy Kachouh | 02/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was coming in to this album anticipating a dissapointment. See, I was thinking to myself that it would be hard for jack to match the brilliance in the Outer Marker. Let me tell you he did it again! Sweet melodies, unmatched lyrics...the album just has an overall upbeat vibe. You will definitely feel good after listening to this album.
"
Awsome CD
G. Quick | Bridgeport, CT United States | 02/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just Jack is a very cool artist, this is the first CD I have heard by him. His music style is like hip hop/electronic/disco. The CD goes strong from start to finish. Some of my favorite songs include "Writer's Block","I Talk too Much" and "No Time". The only thing I don't like about this CD is the price tag, I assume it is high because it is an import but over $25 for a CD is a little much."
Love it!
None of the Above | CA | 07/21/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great CD. And so nice to be able to get it cheap used, now that everyone seems to have moved on to mp3 files."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1