ALBUM REVIEW: Jukebox the Ghost - Off to the Races
Nothing like a little Jukebox the Ghost to put someone in the best mood possible! The indie pop band comprised of Ben Thornewill, Tommy Siegle, and Jesse Kristin is back again with their fifth studio album, Off to the Races, and I’ve got to tell you, these songs have been ringing in my head all week. The D.C. area-based band got its start back in 2008 with their debut album, Let Live and Let Ghosts. The album was met with such praise for creating a new sound that the indie and alternative pop worlds have not really heard before. Taking away the usual setup of two guitars, a bass, and drums, the trio this time used guitar, drums, and piano to produce an almost Broadway musical-esque sound.
On this most recent record, they have truly amped up their sound to the next level! The album begins with the song “Jumpstarted,” which opens with the three members singing a capella so beautifully. Then, in a matter of seconds, the song kicks up with Ben playing a beautiful piano run that leads into the full band singing in their typical and wonderful style. The song talks about when love is jumpstarted after seeing someone, and all you have is them stuck in your head, just like the song itself! Another song to note is “Everybody’s Lonely,” which, unlike the first track, talks about how even though every song on the radio seems to be about “love and drinking too much,” the truth is that everybody is lonely. Ben even mentions in an article for Consequence of Sound that the idea spawned from his grandmother saying that during WWII, all the popular songs of the time were about love because everyone was apart from each other.
These are only just the two beginning tracks! The rest of this album is just as amazing, with songs like “See You Soon” and “Time And I” talking about how separation and time can be so bittersweet to the soul, and the song “Fred Astaire” showing off their funkier side. This album definitely takes the best parts of their previous albums as well as some new ideas and mixes them for a wonderfully crafted record. If you haven’t already, make sure to give it a listen. I prefer doing so outside in sun, jamming and dancing like no one is watching!
See Jukebox the Ghost at 9:30 Club on May 17 - tickets available here.
