While everyone loves
Bruce Springsteen, it's refreshing to find a band from New Jersey that isn't trying to re-create the earnest rust-belt rock
the Boss made a name for himself with. Instead, with their sophomore outing,
In Blue,
the Static Jacks offer an album of sugary but strong guitar rock that conjures up the sweet power pop leanings of
Fountains of Wayne and
Weezer. Alternating between a pop record that's not afraid to rock and a rock record that's not afraid to let loose with some melody, the album attempts to keep listeners on their toes, deftly skipping between the two modes without every settling on one as a favorite. Although
In Blue still shows hints of that working-class earnestness from time to time, it feels more akin to smart pop-punk bands like
the Wonder Years than the gruff roots rock of
the Gaslight Anthem. At the end of the day, though,
In Blue is a fun album that finds
the Static Jacks really coming into their own. ~ Gregory Heaney