Recorded from 2003-2008 in various studios around Dublin, the self-titled CD by Slumberjet is a gentle powerpop gem. With vocals and chord structures very reminiscent of Jason Falkner (Jellyfish, The Grays), “Slumberjet” is certainly going to delight powerpop fans.
Slumberjet is a trio featuring Barry O'Brien at the helm, Keith Farrell on bass, and Aidan O’Grady on drums. Throughout the dozen songs on this CD, you’ll hear influences predominantly from the 60's, 80's and 90's. Featured guests include former Cardinal member Eric Matthews, singer/songwriter Duncan Maitland, and former Pugwash members Aidan O'Grady and Keith Farrell, who also produced the album. The album was mastered by John Dent who has previously worked with U2, Bob Marley, and PJ Harvey.
There is a healthy mix of upbeat songs among the slower paced songs, providing a dynamic listen that rarely gets boring. “The Strangest Game” (video below) kicks things off by hitting all the right powerpop buttons and is easily my favorite track from the CD. Another winner comes up next in the jovial guitar-driven “The Letter”. The rest of the CD is hit or miss on the first listen, but with repeated spins, fans of this genre won’t be disappointed. “C Song” and “Gone” are peppy tunes that firmly caught my ear after a second listen – don’t miss the clever harmonies! For something a bit slower and more contemplative, check out the dreamy “Cut Me Out”.
I’d recommend Slumberjet for fans of Jason Falkner, Duncan Maitland, Bleu, and Mike Viola.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7
Slumberjet on MySpace.
Check out the video for “The Strangest Game”
