The Jailbreak
ALBUM REVIEW: "The Jailbreak"
March 7, 2013
Alec Cunningham
Picture a band with mixed characteristics; one with a sound that is not entirely rock, nor entirely reggae. A band with a sound that instead falls into the category of surf rock, or if you will, "American Reggae," with similar artists such as Sublime, Citizen Cope, Jack Johnson, and Donovan Frankenreiter. That band you're picturing is Jake Paul Band and the album is The Jailbreak. The band's reggae sounds bring a sunny warmth to the overall album, even though oftentimes heavy, less than cheery subjects are addressed. Front man and band kick-starter Jake Paul's vocals fall somewhere between singing, spoken word, and rapping, which accentuates the music perfectly. He also brings his harmonica out from time to time, lending a further accent to the music.
Paul has a unique reason for forming the band and beginning his music career. In the 1990's his mother was killed; unfortunately, the case has still not been solved. In honor of his mother, he set out to spread his story through the form of music. His first venture was with the track "Hollow," which is included twice on the album - once as the original and the other as a home studio remix. Regardless of which track you listen to you will be blown away by the brutal honesty of the lyrics. The story is told in third person, describing his mother's death and how he was affected by it, reminding listeners to "Remember to say goodbye, 'cause you're never too young to die." The sincerity of the lyrics, especially when Paul describes the moment he was given the news, further outlines how genuine the track really is. This sense of honesty follows the band through the entirety of their album, whether he is tackling everyday troubles or covering how to overcome those difficulties.
"Scarecrow" comes next on The Jailbreak. The cleverness of the track is what makes it stand out. Paul sings, "You know, a wildflower cannot grow stuck in the shado
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