Jettblack: Disguises

It's album number three for UK rockers Jettblack and as is so often the case after two well received but hardly smash-hit albums, it feels like make or break may be nearing with Disguises. A little different from the pack, Jettblack have always been seen as a cracking live proposition, yet one which has never quite captured that fire in the studio. With that in mind, the quartet appear to have attempted to rediscover what made them tick in the first place; the answer would appear to be everything from Sleazy LA licks to arena sized Nickebacking and much in between. It makes for an initially stand offish beast which snarls and bites with froth flying from its mouth. However live with Disguises for a while and eventually this beast lets you in its cage, safe in the knowledge that it'll just about leave your face intact. Crank Jettblack to the max and they become a riff laden tyrant, causing all in their path to cowl in fear. However with vocalist Will Stapleton possessing a clarity and poise not often seen outside chart friendly acts, there's a clear "in" for those who normally shy away from anything vaguely boisterous. Take in "Evidence" and you'll find a band dripping with intent and ferocity, yet with the restraint to leave just a little of that aggression pent up inside and resultantly, even more dangerous than if it was let to romp carefree on its own adrenalin rushed exuberance. Lead track "Explode" does likewise, living up to its name but more in attitude than full on attack and while that may sound simply like Jettblack have been tamed, often it is what is left to the imagination that really makes a song stand out from the crowd. That said, "Broken Bones" goes for the throat, never in danger of missing its intended target, while "Kick In The Teeth" has no intention of leaving you anything other than blooded and bruised.

On this evidence Disguises easily contains the previously only hinted at attitude, verve and excitement to get the Jettblack message across, yet the subtlety to leave them that little bit more accessible. Vitally it also bulges with top notch songs that nod to many a band without heading into the realms of mimicry so many find impossible to avoid. It would appear it's time for Jettblack to remove their Disguises and reveal themselves to the wider world, I hope the world is ready...

Track Listing
1. Slaves 
2. Explode 
3. Poison Rain 
4. Evidence 
5. Disguises 
6. Broken Bones 
7. Black & White 
8. Kick In The Teeth 
9. Enemy
10. Human 
11. Smoke & Mirrors 

Added: April 25th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Disguises at Cherry Red
Hits: 1953
Language: english

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