JACK L STROEM is an up and coming artist in Gothenburg's Rock scene and also a member of
VANDOR.
Jack is one young talented dude taking influences from old bands such as
RAINBOW, JUDAS PRIEST and
GENESIS, mixing it with a Modern Heavy Alt-Rock sound. This album is almost Retro Rock but with hints of
MUSE and even a touch of
RADIOHEAD. It’s great how young musicians can make this kind of sound. Perhaps it’s because he started early, apparently smashing up his mother’s mandolin while watching
DEEP PURPLE – “
California Jam” at age 4. Then starting to play guitar and sing at a young age. In late 2016, with two tours behind him,
Jack went in the studio in Salem OR, USA to record his self-titled debut with producer
Charles Normal and with a band of session musicians.
It’s a short album running at around thirty minutes and kicks off with
“You're All That I Want” and immediately I like the sound. It’s very retro with a simple riff in the style of old
SCORPIONS and
Uli Jon Roth. I’m not suggesting
Jack reaches the heights of
Uli (yet) but I like the stripped back feel. The riff is slightly similar to the classic
SCORPS track “
The Sails of Charon” off the “
Taken By Force” album. The song itself is good and the solo is great as it reels away in a distorted manner.
“Unfold My Soul” is like an old new wave riff but then the keyboards break down and reveal a sound similar to
RADIOHEAD. It is good stuff.
Jacks vocals are good and there is a bit of
MUSE in there in the vocal too. The descending keys and vocals work really well; dramatic stuff indeed.
“We’re A Lie” is a Rocky riff and driving Rock number with good harmonising vocals and Hard Rock soloing. This is a good-straight ahead Rocker. Maybe not as Alt Rock as some of the other tracks.
“Inside” starts with subdued keyboards and has slow vocals without guitars. This is a song about being rescued. It is atmospheric with keyboards before gently introducing drums and building towards a bluesy guitar solo; very tastefully done.
“Fearmonger” is the most Metal sounding track with heavy riffing, pounding drums and hammond organ. This is like a heavy
DEEP PURPLE. The vocal does breakdown to a quieter interlude before the riffing and drumming smash back in. There are then feedback guitars, more screaming vocals and a heavy conclusion to the track with pounding sounds.
“Without Me” goes back to a New Wave Rock style sound. This delivers nicely. The closing track
“Turn Away” is a gentle keyboard/ synthesizer intro with softer vocals which grows into a dramatic power ballad with cascading keys and cool guitar solo.
So, this is something a bit different and original sounding with a Retro/Alt Rock sounds. I’m pretty sure
Jack has enough in his cannon to blast out more cool stuff. Apparently,
Jack is unsigned. I can’t see that situation lasting for long as
Jack is talented and is doing something a bit different.
Songwriting: 8
Originality: 7
Memorability: 8
Production: 8