JAY SMITH - King Of Man

Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Artpop/Pop, Metal | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 163 / 9-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 5/10 | Label: Sony | Autor: WT


The Swedish musician Jay Smith is a big number in his home country. After his victory at the TV talent show "Swedish Idol" 2010 his debut album reached platinum status. Grammy winner Dan Sundquist's successor "King Of Man", produced by Grammy winner Dan Sundquist, is now being released outside Sweden with some delay - a record that comes up with some strong titles, including "The Blues", the metal-rich rocker "Cowboys From Hell" and the organ-dominated "Evil I Might Be". But despite Smith's smoking organ, the work sometimes drifts towards the lard line, as in the title song or in the "Keeps Me Alive", which is overloaded with strings and a sweet background choir: Engelbert sends his greetings. And when a piece like "Ode To Death (Little Sister)" comes along as a cheerful, swinging soul cut, the inclined listener wonders whether he is currently on the road in a general store or at a casting show. No doubt, Jay Smith is a very good guitarist and has an interesting voice. But the majority of his songs, especially the arrangements, belong in the box "Gewübungsbedürftig".

Top track: The Blues

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