Customer Reviews

Weightless

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

 

 

As with most great live bands, the true essence of Jackpot's music cannot be conveyed in a recorded format. However, their latest release "weightless" comes pretty close, especially on the slower numbers. A much more cohesive album than their last offering "Boneville", "weightless" is a collection of finely crafted American songs that readers of "No Depression" will love. "Whiskey" gets my vote for the best song of 1999-2000. Likes its namesake, that song is the sickness and the cure! However, the album as a whole tends to drag a bit. Rusty Miller is an incredible songwriter and the rest of the band is top-notch, but I just wish they would have produced a more diverse collection of songs that better represents their infectious live shows. Still, well worth the money and definitely a band to keep an eye on. If Jackpot is playing near your home, it is your duty as an American music lover to go ckeck them out.

Easily the most interesting release of the year, and, possibly the last few. Nary a clinker song on the release. Admittedly, they sound quite a bit like the long-gone Replacements at their very (too brief) best--that's certainly not a bad thing to sound like. Funny, interesting lyrics and arresting tunes. When they do venture into some country-esque stuff, it makes one realize what country rock might have been, if it hadn't been perverted by the '70s schlock. This reclamation service is worth the listen, alone. Highly, highly recommended. Keep your ears open to these folks in the future. And the other reviews are correct: they are blisteringly fine live.

Once in awhile you find a band where the artist voice just somehow reaches out and grabs ahold of you. While i wouldn't say Russ Millers voice is special , it has a special quality to it which makes for more overall enjoyment. (i'll compare him to Tweedy in that area) This album is a solid performance all the way through and the album starts off nicely with a song called La La Land and grooves on through solidly all the way to the end. Musically speaking you cover an Americana element of things as well as some more pop leanings (bells, odd percusive items)

This is where the Jackpot magic begins and it's worth giving a shot!

Jackpot's latest album is a example of pure rock. There are 11 excellent tracks on it, with my favorite tracks being weightless and She's So Cool. If they are playing live in your area, make sure that you go see them!

I think this is grossly overrated by previous reviewers. Comparisons to "No Depression" acts like Son Volt don't hold up well (Son Volt can actually write songs you want to hear over and over). As far as original songwriters, Joe Henry has it all over this act. Rusty Miller is an average songwriter, arranger, and singer. This release is OK, but barely so. Much better pickins elsewhere.