the big tease...

genre: rock, indie, alternative
artist: Jay Trainer Band
album: Jay Trainer Band EP
featured tracks: While the World Burns Down, Miss You Well
label: Briar Patch Records
street date: June 29th 2010

According to VivaLaMainstream, Jay Trainer Band is somewhere between Van Morrison and Santana-- and that is exactly the sound these California musicians are going for. Jay defines his style as "a negotiation of... quiet, almost jazzy tone[s] to booming thunder, in any given moment." Yup, that sounds like Van Morrison + Santana, with a generous helping of Jay Trainer secret sauce.

The EP is a teaser for the upcoming full length album, to be released this fall. And let me just say... if the album is as good as the EP (and obviously it will be), then I'm ready for summer to end right now. The EP is Jay Trainer's 3rd release overall, but his debut release with the band. While his previous studio work has received much praise, his live shows receive even greater applause-- performances are described as "raw, personal, and uninhibited." In other words, not to be missed.

And now on to the music.

While The World Burns Down starts off with a moody riff and slow, smooth vocals before segueing into a contemplative guitar solo within the first minute of the song. Jay emotes passion and depth throughout the length of the song both lyrically and musically, which is truly the power that melds the complex elements of this song together.

Miss You Well characterizes a vibe distinctly different from that of While The World Burns Down. While The World Burns Down seems to carry a political undertone; conversely, Miss You Well is an upbeat take on "the one that got away." It's like Jay is saying "yeah, she's gone-- but damn, when she was here she was so, so good." Miss You Well delivers more epic guitar solo greatness, a big helping of "saying-exactly-the-right-thing-at-the-perfect-moment" (for lack of a word to summarize), and even serves it up with a side of brass. Yum.

in summary: if you're looking for musical and lyrical depth, complexity, and wonderfulness... you need this EP.

stream now at the myspace