Album Review: Texas – Jump On Board
3 min read
With 8 albums already under their belts and a string of hits that would make any greatest hits concert a truly enviable live experience for any music fan, Glaswegian pop/rock outfit Texas have proven they are a mainstream mainstay as they have recently unveiled album number 9 with Jump On Board adding to an already illustrious catalogue.
Forming back in the late eighties and turning out singles over the past 30 years like I Don’t Want A Lover, Say What You Want, Summer Son, Inner Smile, Once In A Lifetime and Black Eyed Boy, Sharleen Spiteri and her formidable band returned to the studio last year to put together their latest studio record; introduced to us through the smooth lead single, Let’s Work It Out.
The band are in fine form on Jump On Board; inclusions like the reggae scented Midnight and numbers like Can’t Control and Sending A Message showcasing the bands continued love for that Americana twang that fans were introduced to Texas through on early singles like I Don’t Want A Lover.
The album is a laid back affair for the Scottish band with the focus applied to a mid-tempo output and attention given to Spiteri’s beautifully executed vocal; the fabric of Texas’ work.
For Everything is one of the standout numbers found on Jump On Board. Carrying a flavorsome semi-Island feel throughout, the track jumps into gospel territory thanks to the complimenting backing vocals that find their way into the latter half of the song as Spiteri belts out the tracks chorus over-top a sweet acoustic guitar and some subtle strings. Great Romances is also a memorable number that oozes 60’s pop influences and some charming male “aahhhs” and “ooohhs” interjected between Sharleen’s sultry lead.
Ending the record on a high, Round The World is a captivating album closer. The track combines the singers whispery vocals and her bands entrancing electronic instrumentation and the result is one of the best tracks Texas have produced in the last decade and one that displays their ability to jump from rock to electro-pop with ease.
With the exception of mid-album addition, Tell That Girl which pulls together a meaty guitar arrangement for Spiteri to exercise her vocal prowess, the record has a heavy ballad/mid-tempo footprint. The bands sound has changed direction slightly over the past couple of records; there are no Inner Smile or Summer Son equivalents to be heard on Jump On Board. While those types of tracks are certainly missed on this new record, the numbers Spiteri and co have offered us are passionate, soothing and versatile new additions to the bands repertoire that will no doubt translate perfectly to the stage when the band take to the road to promote the record at the end of 2017.
While we miss those uptempo rock infused or power-pop hits that the band were once turning out, Jump On Board is yet another outstanding collection from Scotland’s finest hit-makers.
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