aaamusic | On 05, Nov 2011

This debut from American trio The Janks consists of a collection of rock’n’roll songs that, individually, sound quite special, but as a whole lack the necessary cohesion to be considered a down-and-out success. Nonetheless, ‘The Hands Of Time’ is a decent debut worthy of your ears.

This album is a real mix bag of sounds and influences, encompassing all the relevant and trendy elements of 70s blues-rock and 60s pop and folk. So there are a few tracks that have a Fleet Foxes vibe about them – such as the sublime opener of the title-track – with acoustic strumming, off-kilter drum beats, and honeyed vocal harmonies. Then there are the heavier tracks, with the alt-rock of ‘Rat Racers’ and the gallop of ‘Demon Dance’ being laced with a blues and garage-rock underbelly – that, together with the wailing vocals, brings to mind the 70s hard rock of Zeppelin, delivered in a kind of Band Of Skulls way (i.e. a Jack White style – since Band Of Skulls borrowed heavily from White). There are a handful of forgettable moments, like the bluesy country-rock of ‘Dead Man’ and the quiet folk-rock of ‘Billy The Kid,’ and although the cheeky waltz of ‘Drama King’s Ball’ is interesting in its experimentation, it just doesn’t quite fit the general mould of The Janks.

All the ingredients of The Janks’ ‘The Hands Of Time’ are right – there are memorable melodies and guitar lines, the production is spot on, and the musicianship and vocals are mighty fine. It’s just that listening to the album all the way through doesn’t quite result in the desired satisfaction, as if there is something missing. And that is simply that The Janks haven’t quite got their own unique sound, and come across like a band dominated by their influences, as well as their folk and blues-rock contemporaries. That being said, I have no doubt that they will deliver fully on their sophomore album, and in the mean time most of these songs will serve to build up expectations.

 

Clive Rozario

 

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The Janks is an American indie rock band from Los Angeles, California. It comprises Zack Zmed (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Garth Herberg (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Wade Ryff (bass), Dylan Zmed (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Lucas Ventura (drums, percussion).

Their debut album Hands of Time mixes blues, acoustic folk and country music with progressive rock, taking you back through many decades. It’s released by Cargo Records on November 7^th, 2011.

Think of Radiohead, Steely Dan, Queen, The Who and Hendrix and you may find all their influences on this recording. Dylan Zmed says: “The album is like musical theatre. The first half develops the plot of a young boy who comes from a broken home, while the second reflects the visceral intensity of growing up from separated roots. At the end, we see there’s possibility for change.”

Rat Racers is ambitious with frantic reggae beats, fast guitar solos, and grand lyrics. In the title track Hands Of Time a roots guitar explodes into psychedelia.

Is the album an epic adventure through different eras? Well, it’s bright and melodic with a variety of moods and some good harmonies. I’m not quite sure what to think, but I’m curious enough to give it another listen.

Track list: 1. Hands of Time 2. Billy the kid 3. Dead Man 4. Can’t give Up 5. Echo Whispers 6. Don’t hide your Eyes 7. Rat Racers 8. Separation from your body 9. Demon Dance 10. Drama King’s ball 11. Adolescence12. Child Prodigy 13. When I was a kid 14. Get Outta town.

 

 

 

Anthony Weightman