Jets Overhead could have easily been around 15 years ago. They would have made a few slacker movie soundtracks alongside the likes of The Jesus and Mary Chain (who, if you remember, were on EVERY soundtrack back then). But, there is also the likelihood they would have faded into nostalgic memory and became a simple novelty for FM radio. Thankfully, their old school and easy paced alternative album No Nations is only now shedding light. Original Soul Asylum fans are now in their forties. Scary, sure – but, this band will make them feel young again.
Lead vocalist Adam Kittredge moves through each song like a damaged sparrow trying to find it’s way home. He manages to sound slightly more ambitious on “Heading For Nowhere”, but most of the songs are spun in a long, slow drone. Which is absolutely as it should be. He breaks things down to their darkest elements on the ironically titled “It’s A Funny Thing”. Unlike their 90’s predecessors, this album has a very strong presence based on it’s entire solidity. There is no real star single followed by a massive filler – each track brings it’s own sense of self worth to the album.
No Nations possesses a pop savvy that is almost unmatched. Jets Overhead have the ability to be appealing to the masses without becoming a group of pretentious ego trippers set on world domination one song at a time. They manage to keep their cool without sacrificing artistic integrity. This is what was so cool about the 90’s, and Jets Overhead does a viable job bringing that feeling back whether they know it or not. Essentially, it wasn’t their choice. Everybody has a place. This is their place.
Microgrove Records [CD, 2009]
1. I Should Be Born
2. Heading For Nowhere
3. Weathervanes (In The Way)
4. No Nations
5. Sure Sign
6. Time Will Remember
7. Full Shed
8. Always A First Time
9. It’s A Funny Thing
10. Tired Of The Comfort
