Search - Jackyl :: Jackyl

Killer record, minus the last song

Robert VerBruggen | USA | 05/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To this day, this record stands as a high for straight-up, no-nonsense hard rock. Plus, it has what may be the coolest cover ever. And it uses a chainsaw as a musical instrument. Effectively, I might add.



There is a strong AC/DC-tinged blues influence here. The Jackyl sound is also heavily influenced by its southern location, especially evident in Jesse James Dupree's powerful and accent-laden voice. This is mixed with a heavy guitar tone to create a truly unique, instantly recognizable sound.



Though each and every track on this record is well-done, catchy and worthy of being a single, by far the most noticeable song is "The Lumberjack." Its basic construction is nothing new: an elementary, clichéd blues progression played at a relaxed swing tempo. What puts it over the top is the chainsaw solo.



Yes, a chainsaw solo. A bluesy chainsaw solo, cohesive, catchy and played in time. It is recreated outstandingly at concerts.



This became a defining trait of a Jackyl record: each album since has featured a "chainsaw song." Perhaps the only one to top "The Lumberjack," though, was "Headed for Destruction," from their sophomore release Push Comes to Shove. (In this track, they used a talk box to make it sound like the chainsaw was reciting the lines of the chorus.) Also, the song itself was a bit more original, with riffs instead of the cliché blues pattern. But I digress. "The Lumberjack" was unprecedented, and it forced people to listen.



The rest of the record is filled with southern rock `n' roll attitude, minus the confederate flags of Lynyrd Skynyrd or Pantera. There are songs about booze ("Brain Drain"), sex ("Dirty Little Mind") and all-around being a "Redneck Punk." The uncensored 11-track version of the album culminates in the album's one low point, the juvenile, almost comically profane "She Loves my C---."



The tamed-down 10-track version, however, is nearly perfect: it is concise, catchy, loud and fun. Underrated as it is nowadays, it is a worthwhile addition to the CD collection of any hard rock fan. It's highly unlikely (though they did come close with Relentless), but hopefully Jackyl will one day make another record as good as its debut."

Pure, Southern-Fried REDNECK PUNK!!!

A. Klein | New Mexico, USA | 01/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit: I bought this CD for 50 cents at a garage sale, with no jewel case or liner notes, just the CD. I'd heard "The Lumberjack" late one night on my favorite classic rock radio station, as well as "Down On Me." Both these songs were good, but "The Lumbejack" blew me away, the first time I'd EVER heard a chainsaw solo in my life! And the thing was, it actually sounded GOOD! Anyway, back to the CD in question. The first time I listened to the entire CD was on a road trip, and I loved it from then on. Still do. Jackyl is like a mixture of AC/DC and Guns N Roses, with a lot of Southern flavor mixed in. Basically, as their song proclaims, they are Redneck Punk, pure and simple. And they know how to ROCK! Choice cuts: Just Like A Devil, I Stand Alone, The Lumberjack, Redneck Punk, Brain Drain, and Back Off Brother. If you like good hard rock, buy this CD and rock on!"

Rock the hell on

God | West Lafayette, IN, USA | 12/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I hadn't heard of Jackyl until about a year ago, but when I did, I immediately went out and bought this CD. Good thing I did. It is easily one of the best CDs in my extensive collection. It is an essential for every rock fan out there- and I don't mean this new-age Staind-type crap. I mean seat-of-your-pants, kick-ass guitar rock."