Album Release : Turin Brakes - Jack In A Box
Such a fantastic album and I’ve only had it a few hours 
The third album from Turin Brakes was released today (although virgin fleeced me and HMV had sold out (apparently) and we just get a plain jewl case for packaging a major let down following Ether Songs lush packaging). “Jack In A Box” can only be described as a funky upbeat sibling of “The Optimist LP”.
The Review
The home made approach to the album, thanks to the home built studio, creates a type of magic that can’t be produced under the strains of being away from home in a big expensive studio. The relaxed nature of the album reflects how much the boys must have loved producing this tale and I guess they can take pleasure knowing that it was mostly their own work, in their own space, in their own time. The album “Jack in a Box” can comfortably be taken as Turin Brakes best work to date, it’s easy, breezy, just what we expect from the Brakes, a huge talent is waiting to hit it big and although the album has recieved some negative vibes, this album could easily make Turin Brakes very, very popular
Listen as you read, to the album condensed down into a 5 minute slice of Turin Pie, baked by myself for your consumption (and the promotion of the most under-rated band in recent times).
Track by Track
The story told in the album kicks of with the very pleasant “They Can’t Buy The Sunshine”, perfect for a bright and breezy journey. The second track “Red Moon” takes the album from 1st gear to 4th with no care for the rev needle hitting 6, this track is out there, it’s confident, it’s all about hitting the road, as we find out later, to nowhere. The upbeat fast paced track talks of leaving the city behind, seeking out an apparent total eclipse of the moon, making the most of anything and enjoying everything. The album then gets infected by the Optimist Lp, with “Forever”, which really has little justification for being here, the album has at this point stalled for what seems like forever and on reflection it might prove to be a skipper rather than a keeper, it feels out of place, on its own it’s a great track.
So we are now on a journey, seeking a new start. We have left the city found our Luna Eclipse, driven to the very edge of nowhere and fell asleep under the stars we are now joined by fireflies. “Asleep with the Fireflies”, is arguably one of the popiest tracks on offer, it’s funky there is certainly a very good structure to this track, it’s feel good brakes and just when it can’t get any better, “Fishing For A Dream” finger picks its way into our hearts as the current single. The album follows on a similar breezy path, stalling again on the very dark “Road To Nowhere”, the title track “Jack in a Box” is very easily the standout track, it has groove it has style, it’s catchy but perhaps a little repetitive. The concluding track which hides a hidden track, for those who leave the CD playing, is a return to a simple song with pleanty of space, with some hints of electronic synths, the butterflies are by now fluttering all around your listening space and the world is a much happier place. “Come and Go” is a very nice end to an extreamly nice listening expereince.
Look a cartoon from way back detailing how Turin Brakes started.
Also I brought :
- Nerina Pallot - Fires
- Suzanne Vega - Retrospective (the best of)
- Bloc Party - Slient Alarm
- Broken Social Scene - Feel Good Lost
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