jack the original

I'm exceedingly proud that as of the posting date, there are scant few sites on the internet that even acknowledge this band exists, let alone that review or tout their first full length album. Jack The Original hails from the white middle-class vortex of Vista, California (North County represent!) and features the musical talent, writing chops and sense of humor that could easily attract a sizeable following. Combining elements of Ben Folds with Raffi and a dash of Danger Doom, Why The Long Face also has the distinction of coming as close as anything in recent memory to realizing my dream of an album so unencumbered with convention that it defies any genre description, flowing effortlessly back and forth between whatever arbitrary and grotesque label society could throw at it. Any such attempt at codification would detract from the fact that's it's just fucking music, and good music at that. - www.musicworthyourwhile.blogspot.com

If you are not from San Diego, read this... if you are from San Diego, naturally you should already know the brilliance of Jack the Original right? If not, you have even more reason to continue reading...
With their new release Why the Long Face, Jack the Original has provided what should be one of the most uniformly and universally cherished albums of the year. Every song is gloriously stamped with that amazing intelligent but careless sound, witty and honest, slack but generously performed. Solid percussion, elegant guitar riffs and sophisticated keyboard licks individually are impressive as all get out, but the clarity and complexity of these songs renders the album a much more rewarding listen. Not simply an excellent album, Why the Long Face? is also powerful evidence to music’s capacity for depth, beauty and expressiveness especially in songs such as “See You After the War.” With a Ben Foldsesque knack for catchy melodies and riveting harmonies, the attention to detail that Jack the Original provides is truly impressive, but the way that these particulars combine to form music so effortless and emotionally rich is simply incredible. - Nine Cents Magazine

"Bopping down the streets of our hometown of San Diego is the local band, jack the original. They are a fresh mix of strumming melodies and syncopation. The boys in the band offer up a harmonic and delightful fun spin on relationships with their song, "Hate You." The song surfs a wave and lands in the tube over that girlfriend gone wrong.
The EP now out is a strong indication of their talent and causes one to ponder and wait until their full-length album, Why The Long Face, hits in August. Kevin Martin's voice has a dreamy and drastic touch to it, causing him to be the troubadour in love and the matador wronged as he sings, "Hey, you don't feel loved...tell your mother it's not her fault. Don't you think I'd miss you," in the song, "Battled in War." The Queen-inspired piano touch is excellent in its own right and their sound brings to mind Wings with Sir Paul McCartney or Harry Nilsson.
jack the original is a strong indication that talent is growing in our own back yard. When you hear what they have to offer, it just means the music world as well is waiting at their doorstep for a listen. Catch jack the original at Canes Bar and Grill on Thursday, June 2."
-written by Bill Biss - Buzz Magazine