The latest album from Beau Jennings and the Tigers rates highly on two approaches. Pursue a lighter route of using it as a soundtrack to routine activities and its undulating rock 'n' roll score will encircle an environment punctuating moments with enticing melodies. When space is made to dive deep, fascinating lyrics await unravelling where real and fictional storytelling jostle to fill blank pages with poignant memories. AMERICAN STORIES MAJOR CHORDS sums up in four words what the album is about. Expect tender reminiscing awash with the raw sentiment of a tight band playing with the freedom to rock out and own the room they're filling.
This is the 3rd album in five years from an Oklahoma native, now back in his home state after spending time in Brooklyn. You get a sense of what to expect from the title and Jennings duly matches anticipation with a fully stocked package. Eleven songs keep you entertained from the majestically written opener 'Oklahoma Heat', which is gently strummed and strong in recount, to the curiously titled closer 'Sooner Superette'. Awareness of the term 'Sooner' in relation to Oklahoma sport is expanded when further researching its origin, while 'Superette' is a term for a small supermarket not used this side of the pond to my knowledge. Couple the song notes with the lyrics and more real world nuggets and experiences are revealed.
The outlier track is a frenetic exposition of garage-infused punk-inspired rock 'n' roll. The intensity of 'Rubberburn' blows away any dusty malaise as Jennings attempts to recreate the sound of his wife's college band. This track is paired in the running order with the lighter moderate rock tinge to 'Lookin' for a Way' that emits fragrances of post-punk new wave.
The geographical span of Jennings' career is highlighted in two tracks. 'Broken Angel' is a solid focal track harking back to his Brooklyn days with references to 'tickets for a Mets game'. This track possesses radio friendly credentials and you can't go wrong with a harmonica blowing exterior. 'Boston Avenue' heads a few thousand miles west and back home to Tulsa where childhood grief is dealt with. This latter song contains the strong lines: 'Donnie I still have dreams/Where you’ve come back to get me/Oh you were my hero back then'
Another cracking lyric crops up in 'The People's Porch', where impactful piano plays a backdrop to 'There’s the dreams we have, and the dreams we get/And then there’s the waking up'. This song refers to a lost friend and links up with 'Norman Nights', a song about life in a college town. A decent piece rinsed with nostalgia.
The title track 'American Stories Major Chords' turns up the heat in the early stages and is a quality full band effort after the temperate opener. Later in the album 'Driving Around' houses a mid tempo beat caressing fictional lyrics, although with a weird sounding ending. More piano and a memorable chorus feature in the final assessed track 'Knockin''.
Beau Jennings cordially invites you into the world of an insightful songwriter and a straight down the middle old school rocker. No frills just honesty, an assortment of chords and stories to be told. AMERICAN STORIES MAJOR CHORDS is swift, sincere and sold to discerning ears. A record to learn from and ultimately enjoy.