Release date: Oct. 3, 2006
15 tracks; 51:41

When I first heard Jet's debut CD, "Get Born," I thought it was a nice blend of punk, rock and pop.

Some songs sounded like The Ramones, while others sounded like The Beatles.

I wondered if they would be able to compete with that effort for their sophomore album, "Shine On."

Happily, the band returns with the same formula and it works just the same.

From the slow - "Kings Horses" and "Shine On" - to the more upbeat - "Hey Kids" and "That's All Lies" - the band covers all the bases.

I'm not sure I'd call it retro rock, but I would call it refreshing.

Sure, it has some styles of the past, just like The Strokes did before them, but it works.

I wasn't crazy about the falsetto on the beginning of "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is," but it goes away into a rough-tumble-chorus. By the second verse, I didn't mind it so much.

"Hey Kids" sounds like it could have been written as an anti-war song in the 1960s.

"Stand Up" has a solid guitar riff and raspy vocals that would nearly fit in on a Rolling Stones or AC/DC album.

With 15 tracks, you expect a lull or some that could have been left off, but you don't find much of that here. Each song is better than the previous one.

My only complaint is the 20-second intro, "L'Espirit d'escalier" which I could have done without.

It's difficult to follow a successful album with something that can capture fans in the same way, but "Shine On" does just that.

It picks up where the debut left off and moves forward with confidence.

Jet is a band to keep your eyes on. They'll be around for a while.

Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at October 21, 2006 7:34 AM