Jason DEBO

For one of the most modest/timid front men in music how pretentious is it to refer to your last name in all CAPS? In either case, DEBO’s new CD Eucalyptus Fields of Sugar Cane draws comparisons of a well produced/not drunk Guided By Voices and Versus. If you want to take it even one step further, Whysall Lane, a Versus side project emulates a similar aura and tone. The song on the album that stands out the most is Wrong Thing, Right Place, a stripped down acoustic power/pop endeavor. This song reels you in with a hook catchier than a fleet of Japanese fishermen and captivates your attention with it’s use of a strategically placed 2nd acoustic guitar. However, I must say that after seeing Jason DEBO live he relies far too much on his backing band to create a wall of sound to hide behind. The power of his guitar strums on the recording do not match the subtle innocence of his lackadaisical hand live. It would be interesting to see DEBO unplugged, as he would eviscerate an anti-rock star vulnerability. For what it’s worth DEBO is pushing the envelope with his down to earth presence and straight forward anthems. In a world of music plagued by bands so quick to jump on the idea of genres and false pretenses, this disc is a safe investment for connoisseurs of the natural progression of pop rock. - ::FREETHESCENE::

San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Jason DEBO and his band play straightforward, melodic pop rock driven by catchy vocal melodies. Like a lot of 90s indie bands that played pleasant, no-frills rock, their music sounds like it wants to shake your hand and be your friend, not beat you over the head with its hipness and make you look at its self-taken Myspace pictures.

Debo's best asset is his ability to write infectious melodies, the most memorable of which belong to songs like "Tag Along" and the acoustic "Take It or Leave It," which let Jason's vocals take center stage and will have you humming along by the second or third listen.

- Kiri Oliver - The Owl Mag