Just Jack
The Outer Marker
TVT
Impressive but ultimately unsatisfying, this soulless collection attaches neatly organized samples and hip hop-influenced rhythms to Jack Allsopp’s mostly rapped lyrics. These aim at being conversational but achieve banality, and the elements do not mix like Kool-Aid and water. The most praiseworthy cuts feature Allsopp (and his collaborator)’s ear for a sample over his way with pop. And when the most I can say about a CD is a list of well-used samples – Dustin Hoffman, The Art of Noise, The Cure– it’s a sign of something.
TVT Records: http://www.tvtrecords.com/
