MUSIC is supposed to the fun. A trait often forgotten by music critics who are quick to declare the irrelevancy of rock or the traditional album in the age of streaming.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The debut album You've Always Been Here from rock supergroup The Jaded Hearts Club is unashamedly looking towards the past. In fact, back to the British northern soul of the '60s, before any of the six members were born.
You've Always Been Here is unashamedly fun, for both band and the listener. The Jaded Hearts Club are Australian Nic Cester (Jet) and Miles Kane (The Last Shadow Puppets) on frontmen duties, guitarists Graham Coxon (Blur) and Jamie Davis, Matt Bellamy (Muse) on bass and drummer Sean Payne (The Zutons).
The supergroup came together in 2017 after Davis wanted to hire a Beatles tribute band for his birthday. After failing to find a suitable act he invited a host of his LA music friends to jam together and the result was The Jaded Hearts Club performing a Cavern-era Beatles set.
Following the gig Davis and Bellamy explored the supergroup further and the result was You've Always Been Here, a collection of 11 covers primarily focused on forgotten northern soul classics.
Cester's vocal performances on I Put A Spell On You and Reach Out I'll Be Here reaffirm why he was such an electrifying frontman for Jet, while Coxon's frantic guitar supports the chaotic melody.
Cester's work on the Isley Brothers' song Why When The Love Is Gone is another shining moment between delicate and forebording.
Kane takes the lead vocal on Money (That's What I Want), famously covered by The Beatles and gives his best John Lennon impression over a forceful riff.
Bellamy strangely takes a backseat, despite arguably being the most famous name and best guitarist of the supergroup. Bellamy's version of the Vera Lynn war-time classic We'll Meet Again and a whispered Fever by Peggy Lee, backed by just a double bass and clicking fingers, bookends the album.
You've Always Been Here is hardly modern or progressive, but that's not the point. The Jaded Hearts Club's mission is pure fun, and they've succeeded.
3.5 STARS