Category Archives: Music

#664: The Band – Jawbone

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The Band’s self-titled album from 1969 is definitely my favourite album of the group’s. I’ve only really listened to that and Music from Big Pink out of their discography, but I still prefer what is usually referred to as the ‘brown album’ by a long stretch. Even so, my original point still stands.

‘Jawbone’ is the 10th song on The Band, written by both guitarist Robbie Robertson and pianist/vocalist Richard Manuel. The latter is the lead vocalist here, with drummer Levon Helm on the backing. The track tells a story of a man who goes from town to town stealing anything he can and taking great pride in doing so.

Originally I didn’t care too much for the song when I first heard it about…. 6 years ago? I was 18. Though I did think the starting “Oh Jawbone…” lyric was funny just because of the way it was sung. I gave the album another full listen two years following and found, after actually paying attention to it, that past the introduction was a song led by a galloping groove and a great melody. Manuel sings his heart out, you can hear him moving away from the microphone when he’s going for those high notes in the chorus. And even without the vocals I find myself just humming to Rick Danko’s bassline as it climbs and descends through the verses.

It’s mostly in 6/4 time which provides the skipping feel to the track, and there are various points where the tempo changes from a shuffle to a waltz and then to a full on 4/4 smash. It’s one of the album’s most interesting cuts and quite stylish for its time.

#663: Disclosure ft. Jamie Woon – January

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I’ll always remember 2013/14 as the time when Disclosure was playing almost everywhere I went. They were on the FIFA 14 soundtrack. They headlined Parklife Festival in 2014. On the very first day of university my flatmate was blasting Settle out of his room. He was a huge fan. Not sure if he is as much anymore. Their songs were played at almost every pre-drinks gathering. ‘Latch’ and ‘F for You’ would usually play during the actual nights out too. Disclosure didn’t make the type of music I was into at the time, but I had heard the album so many times throughout the first few months, probably even weeks, of first year that I thought I may as well download it myself.

I found that I had already grown tired of the album’s first half very quickly. ‘Latch’, ‘F for You’, and ‘White Noise’ were not too fun anymore. That then led to the realisation that the second half of Settle was much better and the three songs that close it out were its peak. ‘January’, ‘Confess to Me’, and ‘Help Me Lose My Mind’ have always been my favourite songs on there, but that’s probably because I didn’t so much of them compared to the overplayed singles. Though out of those three, ‘January’ is the one I’ve always vibed to the most.

I don’t have much to say about it. It’s a catchy house-pop (don’t think that’s a thing) track just like all of the other songs on the album. That pulsating chord progression that occurs throughout was initially what got me hooked, and I’ve always paid more attention to the production rather than the vocals. That’s not to say that Jamie Woon bores me because he doesn’t; he certainly does his thing on the microphone. Up until Settle‘s release I had only heard Woon’s song ‘Lady Luck’ which was released in 2011, so I had at least heard of his name before. I’ll put that song below actually.

#662: The Who – Jaguar

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‘Jaguar’ is a song by The Who that was recorded during the sessions that resulted in The Who Sell Out, their third album overall, released in 1967. It didn’t make it onto the original LP in that year, despite bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon’s pleas for it to be, but made its way onto the extended and remixed version of the album when it was reissued in 1995.

It’s another rare occasion in the band’s discography where Keith Moon takes the lead vocal on the track. Pete Townshend sings the “radio blasting…” bridge. This site takes information from the album’s liner notes so I’m inclined to agree with it. But even if you still don’t believe it’s Moon singing, I’ll try and tell you why it is. It’s clearly not usual lead vocalist Roger Daltrey. John Entwistle does sing on the album. He did possess a very high falsetto during these times. He doesn’t have the almost childish tone to his voice that is clearly noticeable on this track. That leaves Pete Townshend and Keith. Now listen to, let’s say, ‘I Need You’ – which Keith wrote and sang on previous album A Quick One and compare that to ‘Odorono’ for example which Pete sings. The difference is clear. It’s Keith, people.*

Anyway, this track is great. It’s the first one Pete Townshend wrote with the ‘product/radio advertisement’ concept for the album in mind, so its lyrics are really trying to tell you what great quality you can get from a Jaguar brand car. They even use the company’s “Grace, Space, Pace” slogan in the thing. Moon is reaching for the high notes in the verses but he stays relatively on key which is fantastic to hear. Fun to sing along to also. The song goes through various key changes many, many times as well, so if you’re into that sort of stuff you’re gonna have a good time listening.

It is said that the track ‘Sunrise‘ replaced ‘Jaguar’ on the album just as they were sorting out the final tracklist in ’67. That’s more or less a Townshend solo effort. That’s a beautiful song in itself. Maybe ‘Jaguar’ would have suited the album better? But whatever, what’s done is done.

*16/05/2020 Yeah, I did a bit of research and experimenting. I think it’s John who sings the track with Pete in the bridge. I wrote about it on the Who subreddit.

#661: Green Day – Jaded

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‘Jaded’ is the eleventh track on Green Day’s fourth album Insomniac, released all the way back in 1995. That is my favourite album of theirs. You may argue and say “err, Dookie?” or “durr, American Idiot?” I stick with my choice. The tracks on the waste no time. Billie Joe seems to be at his most self-loathing and messed up on here, which for one reason or many others I enjoy quite a bit. It’s just over half an hour in length. It won’t take up too much of your time.

When listening to the album, you will notice ‘Jaded’ launches off like a rocket while the guitars are still fading out from the preceding track ‘Brain Stew‘. This came to good use when the band needed another single from the album. Instead of releasing ‘Brain Stew’ by itself, the band/record label/whoever decided to release it and ‘Jaded’ as a joint single. The long music video for both songs can be seen above, though I set it so it could start when ‘Jaded’ begins.

The track is a minute and a half freak out to contrast with the lazy/lethargic/apathetic outlook of ‘Brain Stew’. It’s a very energetic song that basically tells you to get out there and do something with your life instead of finding yourself doing the same old thing over and over again, whether it be a 9 to 5 job or just sitting at home doing nothing at all. We’re not getting any younger, and you don’t want to get old thinking you could have done so much more with your time. Once you get past the overall jumped-up/tweaked out atmosphere of the track, or not that’s probably the best part about it all, it’s quite serious. It’s a firecracker of a tune, though.

#660: The Sea and Cake – Jacking the Ball

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In 2015 or 2016, one of those two years, ‘Jacking the Ball’ by The Sea and Cake appeared on my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify. I was on my year out of university getting some industry work in, it was nearing the end of the day and there wasn’t much that needed to be done. The last two hours were usually Spotify playlist time. I remember it sounding good when I first heard it. It may have appeared another on the list a few times afterwards. But I guess I forgot about it for a while.

Fast forward to 2017 during my last few months in university and for some reason the fact that it existed popped into my head. I searched for it on YouTube and there it was. I couldn’t listen to it as loudly because my ears had recently started this ringing noise that has gone on to this day. Nevertheless, the track still sounded as good as it did when I was sitting in the work office the previous year.

It’s hard to say what ‘Jacking the Ball’ is about. After listening to The Sea and Cake’s self-titled debut from 1994, which ‘Jacking the Ball’ opens, I gathered that they were the type of band who worked on some grooves and jams and once they got the right instrumental they put some lyrics on top with a good melody. Many of their albums are very groove-based. If you’re into that sort of stuff you should definitely try their discography out. The lyrics here don’t really mean anything but are more about evoking feelings, images and emotions. The guitar riff is definitely the track’s best part. So catchy and relaxed. I’m a fan of Sam Prekop’s vocal delivery too.

I’ve deduced that the track is a kind of ‘us against the world’ track. Hanging out with friends and having the best times and feeling like you’re kings of the world. There’s no lyrical sign that signifies that. That’s just my take.