Just Jack - 'The Outer Marker' (RGR)
3/5
By: Matt Tomiak
It's just like Britpop all over again: only this time, without the guitars or dodgy trainers.
Joining the ever-swelling ranks of Brit n' proud music-makers (The Streets, Dizzee Rascal, Audio Bullys, Grafiti et al) is Just Jack, AKA Jack Carrol. Jack hails from-of all places - Camden, the spiritual-home of Britpop mark one. And whilst he may namecheck 'Page three's', 'Beanos' and 'Football stickers', JJ eschews the 60s pop influences and instead plumps for a down-tempo, ambient lo-fi backing.
Jack's cold, deadpan Norf Lahndan delivery recalls Faithless' Maxi Jazz, which suits the lyrical-content; 'The Outer Marker' is certainly not an optimistic record. This is an album about getting dumped, about being unable to communicate with loved ones, and feeling lost and alone. 'Lesson One' exposes the insecurities behind laddish facades ('It's hard sometimes trying to be a geezer... Staying strong emotionally when your soul is breaking'). 'Snapshot Memories', meanwhile, is the flip-side to The Streets' 'Weak Become Heroes'; whereas Mike Skinner reminisced upon the euphoria and unity of early rave experiences, Jack laments of his hedonistic past that 'It's a shame that in the end/It was all drug-induced.'
The soundtrack to the morning after the night before, 'The Outer Marker' commits to record the regret, paranoia and hollowness that follows the party.
Artists in this article: Just Jack
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