Jack L Stroem - Jack L Stroem

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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