Rock n’ roll once looked like a safe haven for artists and madmen alike. Sure, it required guts, imagination and a a bit of technical know-how to play it. But the payoffs could be wonderful. Young singers like Robert Plant and Jim Morrisson travelled from anonymity to travelling the world in front of adoring fans. It was rewarded artistic insanity.
But it takes more guts than ever to play rock n’ roll. It takes more bravery than ever to make music in that spirit and not adhere to getting a rapper, a DJ, AI vocals, or whatever is trendy at the time, onto your music. Playing guitar driven music is nearly as underground now as selling illegal books out in North Korea. It takes guts!
Jovi Skyler thinks he has what it takes. And he’s not making his claim in hushed tones. That would make no sense. After all, with so much information about so many products nowadays, not getting up to scream your name out into the crowd would be foolish. Still, if you’re going to play rock music, you better be ready to take it on the chin.
Lead single “Asshole” does just that. Powered by a steady but tough alternative-rock instrumental, Skyler squares up to the forces working against him. If this is what it will take to forge a career, this is what Skyler will do. No compromises! Full steam ahead! Power through the nonsense.
The EP’s next track, “Lil Bo Weep,” further revels in the garage-rock sound with which Skyler is now experimenting. This is music meant for the road and inspired by the harshness of it. It’s a grunge sound complete with the same kind of emotional tormoil that dominated Seattle’s finest releases.
It takes until third track, “Frankenstein,” for Skyler to dig up the old acoustic guitar in a bid to give the album some much needed dynamics. The raucous may be quieted for a moment. Still, there’s more anxiety captured in this track and described through the lyrics as anywhere else on this release.
Artists, especially rock n’ rollers, can’t lie. If they do, they’ll get caught. If they get caught, it’s curtains for them. The EP’s closer, “Rumble,” is an honest ending. Once more, the song is powered by choppy, distorted power chords. Once more, the track captures the singer’s dissatisfaction. It’s a bitter but rocking sendoff.
Jovi Skyler knows what it takes to play rock n’ roll these days. It takes guts and honesty. It means not being included among the trendiest musical prospects. But rebels never achieved anything by playing it safe. Trend setters are here and gone without anyone thinking of them as cool ever again. Rock n’ roll, on the other hand, is here to stay.
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