As the frenetic pace of opening track “Defend Rosie” comes to a close, Static Jacks‘ lead singer Ian Devaney leans into the mic, and in a throaty charge yelps “I’ve seen the future, you’ll never guess what the fuck is coming next.”
While I’m not sure if Devaney is speaking to the future of Missouri’s gerrymandered districts, Asian fusion restaurants or gold prices on the Vienna Stock Exchange, when it comes to the Jacks’ debut album If You’re Young I’ll let you in on a secret: The future is a mirror image of the three minutes proceeding Devaney’s profane pronouncement. The foursome uses galloping guitars, pounding drums and youthful exuberance for a 12-song collection of typical hooky tunes that share an affinity with punk bands from across the pond – the band hails from Westfield, New Jersey but Westfield, England is more like it.
The trio of songs at the album’s outset race out the speakers, as the aforementioned “Defend Rosie,” “Girl Parts” and “Into the Sun” employ shouted lyrics, hand claps and a squelching punk-light guitar to keep you moving enough to remain interested.
It’s not ground-breaking but not too bad, either.
Devaney and company veer from the pop-punk formula on a handful of songs, and though it doesn’t always work, I’ll give them credit for trying. “Sonata (Maybe We Can Work It Out)” is the Jacks’ attempt at a ballad, and comes across too mellow and sweet for it’s own good, quickly evident when the accompanying “Walls (We Can’t Work It Out)” turns up the guitar chirps and tempo potency. “Mercy, Hallelujah” works where “Sonata” doesn’t, as it jangles with Brit-pop glee, a gleaming dance track which benefits from Devaney singing instead of screaming. “Relief” is a little slice of salsa, with a vocal styling channeling The Outfield circa 1985.
If You’re Young limps to a close — “It’s Such a Shame” and “Drano-Ears” hardly uncover fresh territory — but it doesn’t keep from making the album a moderate success. I doubt the band knows the future beyond this set of songs, but I could guess there’s room for added exploration.
Then again, the Static Jacks might not give a fuck, which would be refreshing as well. After all, that’s really what punk is all about.
