Based in London, ‘The Jetstream’ are a melodic rock band circa 1980 looking to lead a renaissance of sorts. They cite Dire Straits, Pink Floyd and Status Quo as major inspirations and it’s easy to see that manifested in their own music. Their latest EP, ‘Something in the Air’ blends elements of all of those great bands, as well as adding a touch of individual flair. With just 4 songs on the record, it would be easy to feel short changed; however, the deep, rich compositions simply do not allow this. Listen once and you will find yourself unsatisfied, going back to listen over and over again.
The EP opens with ‘Truth’, a relatively dark song that encourages the questioning of life on every level, imploring you to “define what’s black and what is white, define what’s wrong and what is right”. It’s always refreshing to hear such philosophical themes in music; after all, it is only after this type of critical thinking that we can progress: “and then you grow”. The lyrics are thoughtfully constructed and beautifully written so as to be simple, but far from mundane.
A soft but memorable bass line sits comfortably atop delicate chords, both from guitar and organ, in the following effort ‘Great Freedom’. The opening verse gives way to a soaring refrain in what seems to be a tried and tested formula for the band. Both songs thus far on ‘Something in the Air’ take on a similar format, establishing a coherent identity for both the record and the band itself.
The third track on the EP, ‘Broken Promise’, is a catchy and likeable effort anchored by a full, infectious bass line that rises up the scale before working its way back down. Simple rhythm from the guitars and drums provides an empty environment that allows the bass to reach its full potential. Thematically, the lyrics speak of honesty and integrity; a broken promise may “get you to the top, but doesn’t catch you when you fall”, and are pieced together, again, with a delicate simplicity reminiscent of Paul Simon’s finest efforts.
Bringing ‘Something in the Air’ to a close, ‘Desire’ returns to the darker, more sombre tones of the opener, ‘Truth’. An abrupt and unexpected fall to a haunting chord cues a solo, first clean and then distorted. With no lyrics to occupy the attention of the casual listener, ‘Desire’ seems to be more of a soundscape than a song, highlighting the band’s technical and song writing ability; it’s not easy to write an instrumental that garners real consideration. As I mentioned earlier, completing this EP will not leave you satisfied and ‘Desire’ is one of the reasons that this is the case. Along with ‘Truth’, it sandwiches the band’s light and vivacious efforts within the dark and forms a timeless philosophical paradox:
Geoffrey Chaucer once opined “The latter end of joy is always woe”; play ‘Something in the Air’ on repeat and this is true, however, the latter end of woe is also joy.
‘The Jetstream’ are:
- Szymon Dworski (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard)
- Bob Chahal (Guitar)
- Paul Maxey (Bass)
- Pawel Foryt (Drums)
‘The Jetstream’ can be found at:
- www.thejetstream.co.uk
- www.facebook.com/thejetstreamband
- www.reverbnation.com/thejetstream
The EP opens with ‘Truth’, a relatively dark song that encourages the questioning of life on every level, imploring you to “define what’s black and what is white, define what’s wrong and what is right”. It’s always refreshing to hear such philosophical themes in music; after all, it is only after this type of critical thinking that we can progress: “and then you grow”. The lyrics are thoughtfully constructed and beautifully written so as to be simple, but far from mundane.
A soft but memorable bass line sits comfortably atop delicate chords, both from guitar and organ, in the following effort ‘Great Freedom’. The opening verse gives way to a soaring refrain in what seems to be a tried and tested formula for the band. Both songs thus far on ‘Something in the Air’ take on a similar format, establishing a coherent identity for both the record and the band itself.
The third track on the EP, ‘Broken Promise’, is a catchy and likeable effort anchored by a full, infectious bass line that rises up the scale before working its way back down. Simple rhythm from the guitars and drums provides an empty environment that allows the bass to reach its full potential. Thematically, the lyrics speak of honesty and integrity; a broken promise may “get you to the top, but doesn’t catch you when you fall”, and are pieced together, again, with a delicate simplicity reminiscent of Paul Simon’s finest efforts.
Bringing ‘Something in the Air’ to a close, ‘Desire’ returns to the darker, more sombre tones of the opener, ‘Truth’. An abrupt and unexpected fall to a haunting chord cues a solo, first clean and then distorted. With no lyrics to occupy the attention of the casual listener, ‘Desire’ seems to be more of a soundscape than a song, highlighting the band’s technical and song writing ability; it’s not easy to write an instrumental that garners real consideration. As I mentioned earlier, completing this EP will not leave you satisfied and ‘Desire’ is one of the reasons that this is the case. Along with ‘Truth’, it sandwiches the band’s light and vivacious efforts within the dark and forms a timeless philosophical paradox:
Geoffrey Chaucer once opined “The latter end of joy is always woe”; play ‘Something in the Air’ on repeat and this is true, however, the latter end of woe is also joy.
‘The Jetstream’ are:
- Szymon Dworski (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard)
- Bob Chahal (Guitar)
- Paul Maxey (Bass)
- Pawel Foryt (Drums)
‘The Jetstream’ can be found at:
- www.thejetstream.co.uk
- www.facebook.com/thejetstreamband
- www.reverbnation.com/thejetstream