Bobby Lord has been something of a utility player in Chicago’s music scene, being in bands like Milked, Gold Motel, Inspector Owl and Any Kind as well as playing sideman for acts like Brendan Benson and Cory Chisel. But on top of all those projects, Lord’s best offering so far is his own: Jagged Jaw.
Earlier this year, he quietly self-released the moniker’s debut “Tonight Is” and it’s one of the most masterfully crafted local full-lengths of the year. From the start with opener “The Way It Was,” Lord’s ear for tasteful synths and airy melodies becomes totally apparent. Using his experience as a producer (he pre-produced the Orwells’ forthcoming LP, for example), these tracks sound pretty much incredible—crisp arrangements along with textured, stadium-filling tones that manage to be perfectly balanced. Somewhere among synth-rock, indie rock and pop, “Tonight Is” defies clear classification with its refreshing voice.
You’ll find a lot to love throughout, but the first half of songs really stand out. The chorus on “Easygoing Life” is particularly hair-raising as Lord hits his falsetto range. The simple-sweet bass of “I Was Only” keeps things in motion. And on “Get the Girl Out of My Head,” he slows things down with relaxed acoustic guitar and a Thom Yorke-esque croon. The rest of the album keeps the relaxed pace going, trading the synth rock grandeur of Side A for soft-rock lullabies (“Old Regime”) and acoustic-led songs that evoke Fleetwood Mac or Paul McCartney (“Baby’s Gone”).
Stream it below and see what I mean.
@joshhterry | [email protected]
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