Review: Jack J. Hutchinson – Battles

Earache Digital Distribution (February 9^th, 2024)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

Some of you might wonder how we get allocated the music we review here on Rockposer Dot Com. 

Well, it’s simple, we choose what we want to review. No bungs, no backhanders!

So, what do I know about Jack J. Hutchinson? To be honest, I thought he might be a blues musician and that was about it.

I don’t tend to look too deeply into an artists history before I listen to them as I don’t like making any snap judgements. Blues, the genre, can cover a lot of elements and styles. So is JJH blues, blooze, or bluesy? Rock blues, blues rock or rock and blues? Classic Rock have stated he is ‘’a real contender‘’, he’s supported the likes of ZZ Top, Bad Company and Blackberry Smoke.

Jack doesn’t come across like Joe Bonamassa for example. He’s plainly more of a team player, rather than a guitar gunslinger. I’m not saying couldn’t be a trad blues player it’s just that he seems to work best in his own style. Modern blues? Possibly, but you could just say JJH has his own unique style. And it works.

‘Constellations‘, an up tempo owner. All guitar groove and melody. This is a theme on this release. And the grooves are kept short and sharp. JJH’s voice and vocal melodies are smooth and caress, which works with the guitar work on offer.

‘Days Are Gone‘ boasts a memorable pre chorus to highlight it. Definitely a more modern sounding tune with a huge chorus. Sonically, the production manages to straddle being radio friendly enough, but accentuating the harder edged parts.

‘Bullets‘ a live favourite in the making. ‘Road To Hell‘ coming on like a Skynyrd/Blackberry Smoke hybrid which is a compliment. Really suits JJH’s voice.

‘Running On Empty‘, anything but. Lots of space in amongst the guitars here. ‘Rip It Up‘ has another of those choruses that will be stuck in your head for days.

The big difference that JJH has is the memorable vocal melodies throughout this album. You can hang your hat on any of his hooks.

‘Love Is The Law‘ takes the pedal off the metal but still has one of those hooks. ‘Don’t Let The Fuckers Get You Down‘ sports a wonderful cow bell in the intro and a groove from hell. Loving the kick up halfway through!

You want it heavy? ‘Overdrive‘. Aptly named. Chug bang chug.

The big ballad is reserved for last. And it doesn’t disappoint. JJH’s voice when accompanied just by a guitar is quite the thing. Another in the vein of Skynyrd but with added charm.

And there you have it.

There’s no doubt in my mind that JJH has what it takes to break into the upper echelons. Plus he has a natty line in strides.

What’s not to like?

Tracklist:

01 Constellations

02 Days Are Gone

03 Bullets

04 Road To Hell

05 Running On Empty

06 Rip It Up

07 Love Is The Law

08 Don’t Let The Fuckers Get You Down

09 Overdrive

10 Stay With Me