I’ve been following Jack’s career for a very long time.  Loved most of the stuff he did with his former band “Great White” and have enjoyed his recent efforts to keep the songs alive.  Jack works hard and tours constantly with his new band mates, Tony Montana (guitar and keyboards), Robby Lochner (Guitar), Dan McNay (Bass), and Dicki Fliszar (Drums) known collectively as “Jack Russell’s Great White”.  Jack Russell’s Great White dropped their new album, He Saw it Comin’ on January 27th.

We talked with Dan McNay (Bass Guitar) and his best description of the new album was it is very “Eclectic. We here at Backstage360 couldn’t have said it better.  My best description was, Let’s say the band has been together for about 10 years and released a new album every year.  Let’s say that there were at least one hit from each album. Let’s also say that each album was a new experimental album with sound, evolving with each new release. Now let’s say you want to celebrate your Ten years of success.  You take all the Hits from all your albums and release them on one amazing album. Jack called that album, He saw it Comin’. That was my best way to describe this album. Just as Dan said, “The album is Eclectic.”  It’s so diverse and such great songs that it’s brilliant.  I believe this will be one of the best albums of the year. It is definitely on my constant play list. Let’s take a look at the new release.

The album begins with classic rocker “Sign of the Times.” Which is about modern technology and how we are in a very fast paced hi-stressed society. Starts with an acoustic guitar intro and leads you into some very insightful lyrics. The song is very easy to listen to and makes you think about all the changes that have taken place in this world. This shows the band moving forward and not pretending to be something they are not. Then the song “She Moves Me” which has a very groovy, cool vibe, reminiscent of the band “Maroon 5.” Then there is the catchy hook of “Crazy,” which is from the old school of song writing, find a cool Riff and create a familiar groove.  What are we missing? Let us throw in a bluesy ballad, “Love Don’t Live Here” which is a perfect showcase for showing how Russell’s vocals have stood the test of time. Lochner’s selection of notes during the solo and the way he articulated them was very cool also. “My Addiction” feels like it could be about any form of addiction, and while it does not specify, everyone has something they are addicted to, making it a song we could all relate to. The song sounds very current and the lyrics draw you into its brutal truth. Then the sweet song “Anything For You,” which draws you in with the beautiful lyrics and melody, when the song starts, it is as if you dropped the needle on an old 45 record with a little crackle that gave it an old fashioned quality and gave you the sense that some time as passed. It starts with an acoustic guitar and Jack’s soothing vocals and beautiful harmonies put you in a blissful state of mind that makes you think about your significant other.

The title-track, “He Saw It Comin’,” has a short break, it begins with kids talking about selecting their instruments of choice, and you hear a door open and a roar of the crowd. Soon leading into a song intro reminiscent of Queen, there is a very ’70s feel while the words deal with the way we perceive older bands, their fame and social media. The guitar sound and feel of the song was infectious.  I love this song. Now it’s time to get Funky, “Don’t Let Me Go’s” funky guitar wah-wah and warm Bass lines make it quite pleasing, and overall, the song will make anyone within listening distance hold their lighters high when played live.

Moving on to something totally different, “Spy vs Spy” features Lochner’s guitar prowess creating an interesting intro, a James Bond style story, and an interesting instrumental break.  Sounding a little more like Blue Oyster Cult is the track, “Blame it on the Night” which deals with some dark themes of child abuse, showing even more depth and maturity to this band’s music and lyrical messages. Finishing the album with an upbeat Doo-Wop song was unexpected, the enjoyable and different “Godspeed” is all acapella. Having only what I envision is the group around a microphone snapping their fingers and singing barbershop quartet type vocals, it is an imaginative and engaging way to end the album.

I believe this is one of the greatest albums of the year and it shows that Jack Russell’s Great White are certainly not a band stuck in the past. They are not just recreating the same sounds that they did back in the day, they are creating something dynamic and captivating. There is one undeniable factor with this album besides the amazing talented group of musicians that make up the band and that is the powerful and emotional presence of Russell’s vocals. Thank God for Jack Russell never giving up on what he loves. He has always been one of Rocks greatest vocalist and this album continues to show the listener why.  I predict that Jack and the boys will introduce their music to a whole new generation of fans. I would buy this in a heartbeat! No thought needed, if you love great music, this is the one to get. 

Jack Russell’s Great White is:

Jack Russell: Vocals
Robby Lochner: Guitars
Tony Montana: Guitar and Keyboards
Dan McNay: Bass
Dicki Fliszar: Drums

LISTEN TO A SAMPLE OF HE SAW IT COMIN’

He Saw It Comin’ Track listing:

1. Sign of the Times
2. She Moves Me
3. Crazy
4. Love Don’t Live Here
5. My Addiction
6. Anything for You
7. He Saw it Coming
8. Don’t Let me Go
9. Spy vs Spy
10. Blame it on the Night
11. Godspeed

Album: He saw it Comin

Band: Jack Russell’s Great White

Reviewed by: Storm@backstage360.com