"Fit the Paradigm" is the brand new debut album from the Stirling-based quartet calling themselves Jack Butler. True to the record's title, these guys are very much aligned with modern rock paradigms exemplified by groups like Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, and Modest Mouse. If you can't get enough of this type of music, then Jack Butler is right up your alley. My main problem is that if you've heard one song by one of these groups, you've pretty much heard them all.
But Jack Butler takes admirable strides to break the mold here and set themselves apart. They are more hook-centric than their counterparts and their musicianship rivals any of the aforementioned artists. Jack Butler decorates their driving rock songs with plenty of feisty funk, unorthodox percussion, intelligent lyrics, and touches of 80s effects. Lead vocalist Liam Kelly exhibits an intriguing combination with his voice: he has that distinctive John Lydon sneer, but can falsetto like nobody's Mika. Definitely a dynamic and booty shaking disc. Standout tracks include "Hit It Out of the Park, Son", "Are You A Hustler?" and "He Got No Game". "Velvet Prose" also has potential, but the hook dulls quickly due to too much repetition.
While I don't think Jack Butler hit it out of the park with this one, "Fit the Paradigm" is certainly no strike out. Another chance at bat and they may just nail it.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 3, 10
Jack Butler on MySpace.
Check out the video for "Hit it Out the Park, Son"
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