Jukebox The Ghost (with the Most)

Just got back from seeing Jukebox the Ghost make their L.A. debut at The Echo in Los Angeles. Hands down...one of the best shows I've seen in a while.

I've had the band's album "Let Live and Let Ghosts" for a few months and it stands as one of my favorite albums of the year. Smart, often-piano-based, power-pop songs with that right twinge of humor that's not too clever for its own good.

The band was TIGHT...I know it's a very easy (some may even say lazy) comparison to make, but the way everybody played off of each other...it reminded me of when I first saw Ben Folds Five. There is not a weak link in the chain here. Ben Thornewill has an insane voice, amazing range, and the piano player is top notch - the melodic lines in his playing on "Static" are a prime example of this. Tommy Siegel's voice suited his songs perfectly especially in the three-part "Fire in the Sky/Where Are All the Scientists Now?/A Matter of Time" suite while his guitar licks gave the songs just the right bite. Jesse Kristin's drumming was fantastic accented by a nice tambourine throw in one of the numbers. All three of them are great showmen. Good energy and interaction with each other and the audience. It was so thrilling seeing these guys do their thing live in such an intimate venue. The setlist:

VICTORIA
STATIC
NOBODY
BEADY EYES ON THE HORIZON
EMPIRE
FIRE IN THE SKY / WHERE ARE ALL THE SCIENTISTS NOW? / A MATTER OF TIME
HOLD IT IN
GOOD DAY

Proving the first album wasn't a fluke, the band did a new song "Nobody" that was just as good (if not better) than the songs from "Let Live and Let Ghosts."

Met all three of the guys and they are all a nice. Even got a nice compliment from Jesse about the vest. :-)

Bottom line...if you haven't picked up their album, DO IT. And if they're in your town...SEE THEM.

Here's hoping they come back to L.A. VERY soon...