s/t
Artist: Jet Velvet 
Label: 7k Records
Length: 11/38:53 
 

Greg and Matt Bisonnette have played with a lot of big names in their career, from Rick Springfield to Ty Tabor to David Lee Roth, and a host of others.  Their studio and touring work allows them the luxury of releasing their own records every so often, which have a common thread: Only hardcore fans buy them, and the rest of the world misses out on some great power pop.  

Jet Velvet, like previous Bisonnette bands The Squirts, Spot, and Jughead, relies on guitar hooks, harmonies, and good songwriting.  They are joined by vocalist and songwriter Paul Dexter (Mayfair Laundry), who has worked with too many names in CCM to list.  “Florentine,” a tune about relationship problems, sounds like a long lost ELO track.  “Call Me Sir” is a tongue in cheek look at aging.  “Listen to You” could be a Jughead outtake, and is the story of a father too busy for his child. 

“Far Away” is more plaintive in nature, backed by a minor piano chord.  “MIA” is solid power pop with high harmonies, and communicates the wish to get away from it all.  “Somebody to Love” portrays a man looking for exactly that, as well the determination to make a change.  “East of Eden” deals with an inner turmoil, depicting the fall of man, but also the fall of a man.  Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe, and Fabio get namechecked, a reminder of how quickly one can be on top, then fade into relative obscurity.  

Jet Velvet starts out strong, and picks up speed toward the middle of the disc, but fades somewhat in the second half, “East of Eden” a notable exception.  Still, the Bisonnettes and their bandmates soldier on, and there is quite a bit here to like. 

Brian A. Smith
13 June 2010