Review by Sancho Del Mar. Published 1/10/2010 12:00:00 AM
Garagy, catchy and swanking is the best way I could describe The Jump Offs “Self Titled” CD. Horrah! Finally, a breath of fresh air in local bands rockin’ the 808! I’ll say that, not only is their Self-Titled a very fun listen, but addictive as well. If there was only a way I could crush, liquefy, and syringe these guys into my thigh, then Happy New Years, muthafuckas! For a band that doesn’t really rely much on sound bites and electric bits, there’s a lot of stuff goin’ on in their music. Especially in their vocals and guitars.
The way they layer and reverberate the vocal tracks blends in well with mix. Like Mortensen playing Aragorn, there’s probably not another dude out there to who could’ve been more the perfect for the part. And I even like his pitch! And though not exactly choppy, chop suey, their six-stringer seems to have a variety of tricks up his sleeve when attacking the fret board. At times a spazzy, wiggling its tail rabbit asking you to follow them to the next track, sometimes like a somber harmonic chiming church bell in “Stories of Your Stereo”. Take note guitar players! This is the way you should be playing your axe, instead of all that down-tuned/octave bullshit I keep on hearing. Up, down, and around scales and solos with gusto, and not cheesy like those 80’s hair banders like CC Deville. Not only are the guitar tracks on here inventive, but ultra catchy. Though make no mistake, the rhythm section still thumps and stomps with dischord and toe-tapping sensibility. And they have a piano player?
Even if it’s only 30 minutes, The Jump Off’s “Self-Titled” is definitely one of those records you can bump over and over, front to back. My favorite tracks on here is the 80s martini Miami Vice (their sergeant was later revealed to be a ninja, remember?) party sounding “All Nighter.” Then there’s the red ring of death recharger in “Reset.” And finally, the stop and go, full-throttle wheelie action of “Tricks and Twists.” This is an 808 must have for 2009!
Out of five stars, a 4!
Only thing I’m worried about here is if they carry the same energy and tightness live? Regardless, they have a really good record out and for the love of God, let’s hope these mutherfuckers get signed!
The 808 Scene Zine 
