Homeless J wastes no time jumping right into powerful, riff based, rock-n-roll. "The Flash", with absolutely no intro, is in your face before you even realize you pressed the play button. The CD slows down from there, but there is a solid rhythm section that keeps all songs moving at an enjoyable pace. Three Seconds To Gaze contains a look at religion and what is good in everyone and everything. Yet it really isn't a spiritual CD as much as an intellectual look at life. But regardless of message, this is not a CD that relies on lyrics for its quality. Homeless J are a strange cross between Suede and Butterfly Jones.
The Fort Wayne based Homeless J comes across with a very European Hard Rock sound on "To Uona" and "Bra In The Window". Other songs like "Man on The Radio" and "Beauty Boy" have more of a pop sensibility, where as "B-Fly" would fit on any Alternative Rock radio program. The highlight for me is "Sister" with its excellent walking bass lines during introduction and bridges, and the overall song has an aura and power that seems to be a cornerstone of this band.
When reviewing a new CD I always like a new band to actually convince me they love the music so much they don't care if others do. I get that feeling with Three Seconds To Gaze, that this was a true work of passion on the bands part. That said, this is still a young band that is trying to figure out all the best ways to present that passion. Recommended for fans of Bernard Butler era Suede, Presto Ballet and Grant Lee Buffalo. An interesting note is that Three Seconds To Gaze was produced by John and Dino Elefante (of very brief Kansas fame).
Track Listing
1. The Flash
2. Beauty Boy
3. To Uona
4. B-Fly
5. Did You See It?
6. Slip
7. Sister
8. Man On The Radio
9. Bra In The Window
10. Not The Sun
11. If I Could Raise Myself From The Dead
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