Jeff Kummer - Your best alternative

Jeff Kummer is the former drummer of regretted act The Early November. He also used to be in a band called Your Sweet Uncertainty and filled in on drums for Man Overboard. He decided to follow a solo route to release 'Your best alternative', his first one man-band record.

The album is a sweet and fair blend of pop-rock and pop-punk. Kummer didn't try to write another The Early November record on his own, or to be Man Overboard's alter ego. Even if limited in its musical genre, 'Your best alternative' calls on a relatively large number of influences. The man's fondness for pop-punk is exhibited on songs like 'Make plans' and 'Write me off', the most energetic (and some of the best) tracks off the record, featuring catchy hooks, heavy bass, fast drums and unexpected and distilled gang vocals. Then, some others make me include an obvious comparison with Waking Ashland. On the very good (emphasize on the great instrumental work) 'Safe to say' and 'What a nightmare', the melancholic melodies added to Jeff's voice tone similar to Jonathan Jones make you feel like you're listening to a more dynamic Waking Ashland that would have lost their piano, that is to say We Shot The Moon. Unfortunately, the rest is less well-executed. Kummer's quality musicianship impresses me on many songs, but I am not keen of his vocals which, in my opinion, bring several songs down, like on 'This makes perfect sense' and its "nananananananana" chorus. Most of the other tracks aren't bad, just average: 'My love', the Crash Romeo-like 'Run' (with slight touches of synth), 'Joanna' and its cheesy chorus a la Bowling For Soup or the closer 'Playing games' which sounds just like it got dropped off The Fold's first album. Similarly, the lyrics aren't anything memorable.

Therefore, I am a little disappointed with 'Your best alternative'. Whereas Jeff Kummer's talent for playing whatever instrument he wants is obvious on these songs, I was expecting him to provide better hooks. The melodies are the letdown of the record, that could have been a good surprise to anyone not aware of the release or the guy's curriculum. However, the album doesn't have much pretention (as you can guess from its cheap cover) and it's a pleasing listen. Nothing great or standing out, but it's not bad at all.

3/5

Recommanded if you like:
We Shot The Moon, The Fold, The Years Gone By
Check also:
Your Sweet Uncertainty, The Send, A Dream Too Late

www.myspace.com/jeffkummer
(Self-released, 2009)