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When I first glanced over the packaging and press release of The Adventures of Jet's latests offering, "Muscle," I thought I was in for something cheesy and childish. The album is, at its core, a conceptual album that revolves around muscle cars. When I first discovered this, I thought to myself, "So, all the songs are going to be about car engines and mufflers?"
Considering my lacking knowledge of cars and general disinterest in the entire subject, I was surprisingly satisfied to realize that cars weren't the primary subject matter of each tune. For the most part, the concept is lightly touched on during most of the songs, but it's The Adventures of Jet's ability to use cars as a method of expressing freedom and carelessness that really sticks out. And might I add, that their brand of power pop creates a very appropriate backbone that really eccentuates the lyrics, dealing with personal issues, relationships, and more.
Exciting emotions seems to be no problem for The Adventures of Jet, nor does writing a mid-paced, catchy power pop song. Rolling bass lines beef up quietly distorted power chords, while infectious keyboard parts give the music a poppy, new wave edge over restrained percussion. From a poppy, moog style, to synthesized instruments and looming, atmospheric wails, it's the keyboard that provides the music with its own identity, not to mention an entertaining backdrop. The vocals are cute and smooth, and I'm constantly reminded of Jaime from The Stereo when I listen to The Adventures of Jet's vocalist Hop Litzwire.
Fans of power pop, especially bands like The Stereo (though The Adventures of Jet are more keyboard driven and slightly toned down) or Manplanet would be doing themselves a favor by checking out The Adventures of Jet, while new wave fans might also enjoy this music. From a fan of metal, I actually find "Muscle" to be a very solid album, and you can bet that I'll come back to this disc now and then.
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