Farewell Captain Says Hello with The Jersey Bounce

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 10, 2008 2:45PM

The last time we mentioned Farewell Captain we were expecting them to release an album shortly thereafter. That was a year and a half ago. Honestly, we had begun to resign ourselves to the idea that they might be one of those Chicago bands to record great albums that never saw the light of day ... but this Friday the world will finally be able to get its hot little hands on the band's debut, The Jersey Bounce.

The album is a throwback to an era when an album was only as long as it needed to be, and its nine songs know exactly when to punch their way into your brain, and when to leave you lying on the floor heaving for breath. We hate making comparisons like this, but they definitely inhabit the same section of the music world as The Hold Steady. Both bands create a torrent of classic rock and punk, both bands are believably earnest and connect on an emotional level, and both bands put on positively blistering live sets. Unlike Craig Finn, though, Farewell Captain's Mark Ruggiero actually has a somewhat flexible voice that's capable of carrying sweet melodies while simultaneously yelping, growling, screaming, and crooning.

With a sound and fury equal parts The Who and Bruce Springsteen, with a touch of Prince's soul lurking in the shadows, and the perpetual hope of the teenage years meeting the crush of adulthood head-on; The Jersey Bounce is one hell of a debut.

Farewell Captain plays tomorrow, Friday July 11, at Double Door, 1572 N Milwaukee, 9 p.m., $7, 21+

Photo by Lee Klawans