Bystander by Jets Overhead
LABEL: Vapor Records

Indie Canadian rock band Jets Overhead has released a thoughtful meandering EP for 2011. It is a collection of studio songs that didn’t make it on to their full-length 2008 album, No Nations.

“A musical puzzle of differing tones and harmonies is enough to keep your mind occupied on consecutive listens.”

The band combines a hint of electronica with a psychedelic indie rock base. There are traces of lineage from the earlier annals of rock history here: whispers of Riders on the Storm in the keyboard and Stevie Nicks in the vocal melodies, sprinkled with newer clean, stadium-worthy sounds, like that heard from Coldplay on earlier albums. The alacrity created by the instruments hinges upon a darker disillusionment contained in the lyrics.  

At first listen, the Bystander EP comes across as mildly euphoric. There is an undertone of wistful longing; a compelling plea to the listener. Listening to the whole album is like completing a small pilgrimage through a life-changing event: from reflection to action.

Each song has a unique feel, from what sound like wistful appeals to a lover in “Destroy You,” to an ambient intro and grooving drums in “It’s Not Up To Me”—a foot-stomping intermission of a song.

The title track starts off with a loud and almost garish synth, followed by a steady beat from the drums and undulating licks on clean and slightly fuzzy guitars. “Bystander” invokes images of sing-alongs and sways from a happy crowd. When the female vocals chime in, they add a brightness and resonance to the lead male vocals. The song leaves one with the wholesome feeling of having learned something useful, yet the dark lyrics are a lament “It’s a fact don’t react/til the wolf blows down the door.” I wouldn’t be surprised to catch the most skeptical person singing along while listening.

“It’s Not Up To You” starts out with ambient vocal noises and a vague hint of a guitar distortion. With the gradual introduction of drums, bass and synth, the song has a pack-your-bags-and-leave type of sentiment. A funky keyboard sound adds a psychedelic component to the chorus. The lyrics “It’s not up to me/to be what you need” speak of psychological epiphany.

“Friendly Fire” has a sparse electronic influence, coupled with an epic stadium sound. The drums are deep enough to give the lilting, drifting, atmosphere of the song a deeper kick. Vocals sweep in over the instruments. A musical puzzle of differing tones and harmonies is enough to keep your mind occupied on consecutive listens. This song is where the EP simmers and melds together, sinking with the psyche onto a bed of irony.

The vocals on “Fully Shed (Kevin Hamilton Remix)” are reminiscent of newer alt bands: a steady, light voice lending a dissonant mix of rawness without quite reaching into anger, hostility, suppleness or venom. The slight rasp to her voice lends a sense of universal angst to the song, something teenagers and adults alike can hold onto.

As a whole, the album is great for driving down long-forgotten streets in your mind —or your car—and is a good discovery to share with your friends.


REVIEWED BY KYRSTEN BEAN
KYRSTEN’S FAVORITE TRACKS: “Bystander” •  “It’s Not Up to Me”
Kyrsten Bean is a freelance writer, a musician and a photographer.