With a distinct live-yet-recorded sound and oodles of working-class tales, Into the Night is the new album from The Jack Knives.
By Graeme Smith
The Jack Knives create a raucous sound that combines the folksiness of Springsteen with hard, emotional punk rock. The Springsteen influences are everywhere in Into The Night, not least in their cover of Dancing In The Dark near the album’s conclusion.
There are moments that drips with nostalgia such as Punk Rock Heart as well as soulful ballads like Hey Love. The Lovers Who Fell is bright and cantering, with lyrics rich in narrative and we even get some pop punk in the form of Kill Me First.
Recorded at Little Eden Studios in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA, Into The Night truly honours the sound that emerged from that part of the world, all while showing us plenty of what The Jack Knives are all about. It’s surprising, then, the learn that the band are based on the opposite coast in California, and actually features a Brit, Si Short, in their line-up.
Produced by Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls, the album captures the intimacy of a live performance while giving us the polish of something recorded. It’s quite a feat.
Into The Night is an album for lovers of The Boss and all his disciples, and a wonderful introduction to The Jack Knives. It’s out now and you can give it a listen below.