REVIEW: Jake Bugg by Jake Bugg (Second Opinion)

               No one could have predicted that a nineteen year old, urban, British kid would record the most brilliant folk rock LP of the twenty-first century. Yet here we are, just three days after the American release of Jake Bugg’s debut album Jake Bugg. The album that climbed to the number one spot of the UK Albums Chart. The album that’s gotten Bugg to headline famous festivals such as Glastonbury, Peace & Love, Evolution, The Sonic Series, and Coachella (which he just wrapped up about ten minutes ago at the time of press).

               It’s no surprise that an indie-folk act should attract so much buzz when The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Of Monsters and Men and Ed Sheeran have been all the rage this year, but Jake Bugg presents what none of the others do: a true, classic folk album. The aforementioned acts have gained praised for their acoustic sounds and catchy tunes, and they probably paved the road for Bugg’s success; however, they are radio-friendly, pop folk songs, while Bugg tackles folk music in a more raw form. The album opens fast with “Lightning Bolt”, which is also the lead single of the album. The fast strumming, vocal calmness, and simple but metaphoric lyrics make me feel like Johnny Cash never died. In fact, all of the faster tracks on the album are the closest thing to The Man In Black since Mr. Cash himself. It is not blatant copying, though; these songs seem to be influenced more mildly by others, notably Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan (although Bugg himself denies this influence), The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Velvet Underground and Neutral Milk Hotel--basically every classic rock fan’s dream. 

               Of course Bugg adds his own charm to the whole album, but it is so easy to draw these comparisons because the album, even on MP3, plays like a classic vinyl. It’s got static-y bits, richness in sound, depth, and all those little things that make vinyl so much better sounding than an MP3. 
              But the album is not all perfection. It is not a great folk album, but it is a great contemporary folk album. The slow songs in the middle of the album, beginning with “Seen It All”, seem insincere, like Lana Del Rey, any tacky 90s soft rock group, a failed attempt at Loaded era Velvet Underground sound, lounge music, or (I shudder at this) a whiny Coldplay. Luckily, “Country Song”, “Ballad of Mr. Jones, and “Trouble Town” are able to break up most of these tracks, balancing out the album. Finally, “Note to Self” saves the album with its quaint fiddle playing and speedy guitar chords, and the final four tracks are all bliss.

               Jake Bugg as an artist is outstanding, and his album holds together very well. In the future, if he veered from slower tunes, I believe he could record a truly great folk album. The instrumentals on his fast tracks as well his vocals are significantly better. His lyrics may get cliche during the slower melodies, but in the faster ones, he shows great metaphors, simple lyrics, and extensive geographic knowledge of the places he sings of-- key elements of folk.

Bottom line: Jake Bugg has the potential to revive folk rock, but Jake Bugg (the LP) only gives him a little start, as the album is quite inconsistent.

Best Tracks: “Lightning Bolt”, “Taste It”, “Trouble Town”, “Note to Self”, and “Someplace”