Customer Reviews

Shiny Things

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been listening to this album every day in the car, and most of it makes me really happy. Occasionally the "quirkiness" of the lyrics surprises and delights, occasionally it just throws me for a loop (the moon is an ovum/we are sperm...??!) but overall the songs are catchy and melodic and I find myself whistling or singing them around the house.

This CD is a real leap forward from the previous 2 Jackpot CDs (in my humble opinion) and is garnering the band a lot of well-deserved attention and radio play. I was sad that I didn't see my favorite song of theirs from live performances (something about a blue suitcase?) on the CD, but there were other, new tracks that more than made up for it. "Big House" and "Tattoos" are beyond fabulous and into sublime.

It all reminds me of Whiskeytown and Wilco more than the bands others have mentioned, but it isn't alt-country - it's clearly rock-n-roll. Highly recommended, and I look forward to their next offering.

Jackpot's "Shiny Things," has some quality music with quirky lyrics. It's hard to categorize really as many of the songs have a different sound and style to them. Rusty Miller has a great slightly grizzled smooth voice and glides through the quirky lyrics from verse to verse to keep you singing along. The overall style falls between pop/rock, a little funk R&B, and alt country thrown in with the kitchen sink. See...hard to categorize.

"Far, Far, Far" is far far away the highlight song here and worth a download even if you don't want to spend the Washingtons on the whole album. I love the first bit of lyrics, "I feel like I've been in a bubble, a bubble of some kind, rolling around inside of it, peering through the soapy shine, somebody bring me a hatchet, so I can break on free, and build my self a fortress out of mahogony." All while rolling along to a cool laid back beat and bass line. Then some of the quirk of the lyrics enter in and may throw some off...those who listen and think about the lyrics. I just kind of find it funny. "Fine tune machinery and your scratching your monkey gland." Really? Your monkey gland?

Tattoos is this driving blues number which drags down a little with the chorus. I believe the whole song is about a waitress showing the band her tatoos and bringing them banana bread. The whole effect kind of reminds me of David Lowry and Cracker, Kerosene Hat. The song kind of devolves into some unstructured weirdness to the end. They try to go Cee Lo or Prince or maybe obscure reference forthcoming...World Pary,Goodbye Jumbo. And then for more of the quirky lyrics that this time leaves you saying...ewwwww. "My bags have all been inspected, and your belly button ring is infected. Drinking a strange beverage from the vending machine, you look like Patty Arquette I feel like H. Feely." H. who?

If you like your alt country with a twist or appreciate good harmonizing and well-crafted sing along pop, I think you will enjoy Jackpot's "Shiny Things." A few of the songs are skippers but it shouldn't keep you away. Hit that Jackpot boy! --mmw

Okay, I got his cd already being a huge Jackpot fan. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this cd blew me away! Their sound is pretty mellow, in fact so mellow that when my sister and I were listening to it on the freeway, we missed our exit cuz we had gotten so into the music. Rusty, the lead singer, has a gorgeous voice that sounds like a mixture of the singer from Coldplay(minus the British accent), and the singer from Counting Crows. The cd starts out with the song, "Far Far Away" which totally gets into your head and mellows you out. "Hide in the Frequency" is one of my favorite songs on the album because it's catchy and fun, while still staying totally musically legit. The cd is very eclectic as it ranges from almost country sounding songs, to more rock, and from funny songs to serious and sad ones. The song "When You Leave" is such a sweet song that anyone can relate to. Rusty has such a talent at writing lyrics, especially ones that catch your attention. They're the kind that make you say, "wait, wut? did he actually say that?" His sense of humor keeps a lightness to the cd. I mean, come on, the guy wrote a song called "Psycho Ballerina"! One great example of his quirky lyrics is when he says, "you can't take away my feet, I kill monsters in my sleep." or "i can't be a super-man, cuz no one is really super, but I'll steal the neighbor's cat with you." If you like good music, this cd has to be part of you collection. It's totally worth the money, this band is so awsome and totally going places! check out their website: www.jackpotweb.net

Jackpot is a terrific new, pure rock n' roll band who hail from Northern California. Rusty Miller, lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter is an incredible talent who is known for the guitar riff on Cake's Never There, also from Sacramento. There are no throwaway songs on the album, every one is great! They just finished their first national tour and have polished their sound into an excellent rock n' roll, listen in your car, can't get out of your head new band. Pick this one up.

Despite the shiny and glittering surface the songs are rough and heartfelt masterpieces of songwriting. Just listen to the first track, you will certainly continue ...

After having this cd for over 3 years, I still can't seem to keep it out of rotation. Whether it be a sunny nor cal day at home, a road trip, hanging on the patio with friends, or getting out of the winter blues, this cd never fails. If you haven't listened yet, try it out...you will not be disappointed. Thanks to an awesome band for a record that stays on the top of the stereo (if not in it) and for fantastic live shows!!!

Okay, I got his cd already being a huge Jackpot fan. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this cd blew me away! Their sound is pretty mellow, in fact so mellow that when my sister and I were listening to it on the freeway, we missed our exit cuz we had gotten so into the music. Rusty, the lead singer, has a gorgeous voice that sounds like a mixture of the singer from Coldplay(minus the British accent), and the singer from Counting Crows. The cd starts out with the song, "Far Far Away" which totally gets into your head and mellows you out. "Hide in the Frequency" is one of my favorite songs on the album because it's catchy and fun, while still staying totally musically legit. The cd is very eclectic as it ranges from almost country sounding songs, to more rock, and from funny songs to serious and sad ones. The song "When You Leave" is such a sweet song that anyone can relate to. Rusty has such a talent at writing lyrics, especially ones that catch your attention. They're the kind that make you say, "wait, wut? did he actually say that?" His sense of humor keeps a lightness to the cd. I mean, come on, the guy wrote a song called "Psycho Ballerina"! One great example of his quirky lyrics is when he says, "you can't take away my feet, I kill monsters in my sleep." or "i can't be a super-man, cuz no one is really super, but I'll steal the neighbor's cat with you." If you like good music, this cd has to be part of you collection. It's totally worth the money, this band is so awsome and totally going places!