For the second time I am reviewing a Jake Stigers album and for the second time I am surprised. I’m surprised because, quite simply, I did not expect to enjoy it. Jake Stigers’ signature style is loud, in-your-face rock, bordered by pop, country, and southern blues. Altogether, not really my thing. But, Stigers has found a way to make it work for any audience, and it does work well.
On the con side, the album is short: so short it could pass as an EP. There is a lot of off-the-record yet on-the-record chatter to fill in the pauses giving an inside-scoop feel, but when all is said and told it remains a seven track album. Even then, I had assumed that the last track, “Slow Time,” was more idle filler and, it was only when my player stopped playing a minute and change later that I realized that I had actually been listening to a song. I enjoyed the a cappella southern blues ditty, but it does fall short of song status. Perhaps if the album had opened with “Slow Time” it would have brought less attention to the length of the album as a whole. If you want to look thinner you don’t wear horizontal stripes. And vice versa.
The only song that I feel less partial to is number five, “Riding with the King.” As soon as it started playing I thought, nuh-uh, too country. Once the chorus set in however, I realized that the last time I had heard this song it was being sung by Eric Clapton and B.B. King. I hoped this might help me enjoy the song, yet every time it came on I had the same reaction. I’m not saying it’s a bad song or that Stigers does a poor cover, it’s just not for me.
That being said, on the pro side of the equation there is no denying that Stigers has talent. His vocals are powerful, and they are accompanied by equally powerful instrumentals—guitars, bass and drums all create an I-want-to-be-heard kind of pop rock. This is music that can’t be ignored, nor should it be. But Stigers can do quiet as well as loud. “She’s a Woman” and “House of Your Own” are each a quiet kind of rock and are just really nice listening. “She’s a Woman” is an especially beautiful song with a melody that will make you tingle and, for me, acts as one of the most successful compositions on the album.
On the whole, this little amuse-bouche of an album is worth it for anyone who already knows the ins and outs of Stigers’ last album, Comin’ Back Again, and who cannot withstand the withdrawl of waiting for another full-length CD. It contains a little bit of everything that Stigers does best, and for the quality that this provides, No Vacancy is recommended.
