Don’t judge a band by its name

Mouthful of Copper

Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons

Recommended if you…

Mouthful of Copper

Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons

Recommended if you like: XTC, Coldplay

Recommended if you like: Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen

What’s in a name? Well, in the opinion of many, a lot. When you first hear the name Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons, you might find yourself a little bit wary of popping the CD in your Discman and giving it a try. You will be pleased if you do, though. Mouthful of Copper is unbelievable. Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons play pure rock. Though there are influences from other artists and bands, the Jackmormons are very much their own entity. They have a distinct style and sound that will be talked about for years to come. Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons have an all-American quality to their music, like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty before them.

Mouthful of Copper is a very eclectic, live double album. One thing the songs have in common is their chill vibe. “Brother Michael” starts off with a two-minute jam session. The guitar chords are raw and uninhibited, adding to the song’s control and substance. Lead singer Jerry Joseph plays guitar and sings with a raspy, full, quality voice. Brad Rosen is smooth on the drums, playing solid beats and singing soulfully, while Junior Ruppel sings and plays the bass.

Another standout track on the album is “Climb to Safety.” The song is completely different than the rest of what’s on the album, with a more poppy sound than the classic rock ‘n’ roll vibe you get on the other songs. The end showcases some pretty wicked guitar riffs and a broken-down drum beat. The crowd goes crazy in the background as the guitar strums away.

Each song starts off with a long instrumental sequence that makes you feel like throwing your arms up and dancing, carefree, at a large, outdoor concert venue. The only flaw that can be found with the album is that many of the songs sound similar to one another. The band’s signature sound, though, is very unique.