Jeepster - What if all the Rebels Died? [Album]

Distille Records

From the ashes of O! The Joy comes San Fran trio Jeepster, and whilst their name may be inferior, their music is certainly not. What if all the Rebels Died? is strangely both sunnier and darker plus more focused than the rather meandering post punk/prog/EMO leanings of O! The Joy. Whilst that band clearly drew influence from the likes of Fugazi and At The Drive In, Jeepster’s switches appear to be flicked by bands such as Radiohead and REM, not to mention a little glam.

There’s a real sense of rhythm throughout the album, as each song seems to move at just the right pace – loose and comfortable enough to allow Jonah Wells’ unhurried vocals to ease along at their natural pace, marrying beautifully with the steady flow of guitar, bass, organ and drums. No single element demands attention - they all mingle with mutual respect.

The one real flaw of What if all the Rebels Died? is that it tails off towards the end, with its best tracks being the first 6 of the full 10. None of the final four deliver quite as memorable a melody or hook as those in “A Day in the Dark”, “Sweet 1:23” or “Ex Oh”, with “Ditches” and the title track being pretty unmemorable. “Fiction Fiction” and “Be Good in Your Neighbourhood” do have their charm, but the latter is almost too laid back for its own good.

Contrary to what the title may suggest, there is nothing terribly rebellious about What if all the Rebels Died?, but based on its content – harmony is underrated.

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