Overtones [ENHANCED] [IMPORT]

Just Jack

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 30, 2007)
• Original Release Date: November 17, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Import
• Label: Universal
• ASIN: B000KF0W4Y
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #215,646 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk
A lot has happened between the release of Just Jack's first album and his second album, Overtones. When The Outer Marker debuted in 2002, it was overshadowed by the Streets' first album, Original Pirate Material. Now, though, Just Jack, a.k.a. Jack Allsop, is getting some long-deserved recognition. There are, after all, strong similarities between Just Jack and the Streets' Mike Skinner. Both artists have an ultra-laid-back and laconic delivery style, and both are quintessentially English in sound and subject material. However, where Skinner has made his reputation for his witticisms and cheeky observations, Just Jack is far more serious-minded. His observations are of a different world than the council estates of Skinner' lyrics. Instead, Just Jack spins tales of middle class ennui ("Lost"), an inability to communicate with his girlfriend ("I Talk Too Much"), or the loss of his youth ("Hold On"). But it's not all gloominess here: "Glory Days" skips along with a summery jaunty beat and a bright brass break that perfectly depicts the elation that comes after a period of depression. Like Just Jack himself, Overtones is mature and thoughtful, proving that hip hop need not necessarily be by, for or about kids. --Ted Kord

Product Description
2007 sophomore album from Jack Allsopp AKA Just Jack. 12 tracks that bristle with razor-sharp lyrics, shimmering melodies and incandescent beats which sees him take the sum of his individual influences and turn them into this unique, genre-hopping, jump-up album, including the singles 'Writer's Block' & 'Starz In Their Eyes'. Mercury.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Starz in Jack's eyes!, January 30, 2008

By	Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Overtones (Audio CD)

UK artist Just Jack arrived in 2007 to fill the void left by fellow Brit, The Streets. With his half spoken/rapped/sung vocal style done in a pronounced English accent and set to stomping club beats, his album "Overtones" is filled with catchy tunes with witty lyrics.

Opening cut, the groovy "Writer's block" is a perfect example of this. Other standouts are the more downbeat "Disco friends" (where he sounds a bit like the Pet Shop Boys), the UK #2 hit "Starz in their eyes" (with a disco sound, and lyrics about the pitfalls of fame), "I talk too much", the electronic hip hop tinged "Symphony of sirens", and the retro funky dance-y "No time".

Slowing the tempo down are the cinematic, horn sprinkled "Lost", the lovely acoustic "Mourning morning" (which finds him singing for a change, and features sweeping strings in the chorus), and spacey soul of "Spectacular Failures" (nice harmonies and horn solo).

An impressive CD and one of my favourite dance releases of the past 12 months...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time!, September 6, 2007

By	D. Duarte - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Overtones (Audio CD)

I've been waiting quite a while for this one to come out in the states, and finally it is here! For fans of Jack, this is a must have, and for fans of The Streets (for example), or underground singer/songwriter/hip-hop/dance/funk musicians (how many can YOU name) this is the one to get!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He Did it Again!, February 5, 2007

By	Roy Kachouh - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was coming in to this album anticipating a dissapointment. See, I was thinking to myself that it would be hard for jack to match the brilliance in the Outer Marker. Let me tell you he did it again! Sweet melodies, unmatched lyrics...the album just has an overall upbeat vibe. You will definitely feel good after listening to this album.