Jacko Hooper - For You

**1/2 

Jacko Hooper is not for me!

Jacko Hooper is a singer songwriter, this is his debut EP and despite there being a number of this type of artist being around recently as with any genre there is always room for another good act to make their mark. So will Jacko be a stand out or another among the crowd.  The best thing about this EP is the beautiful artwork you can see above which is the most stand out thing on this release and looks even better on the 7' sleve, but isn't it wrong when the artwork is the best thing about a release.

Opening track 'Egg Shells' reveals a James Blunt style edge to his voice but I won't hold that against him yet. It is a guitar pop style tune about his love life basically the stand out for the genre. As yet ok but once the track was over it was like hearing a tune on the radio, you think that's a nice then forget all about it.

The second track 'November 5th' comes around and with a title like that we should expect fireworks, the males Katy Perry maybe even. But it turns out it is a pop based guitar tune about his relationship quelle surprise.  He does have a good voice but I just wish this genre would attempt something a bit different. The guitar gives it a slight Folky sound but the good thing about good Folk music is the storytelling mixed with a good tune. Here it seems to be identikit, lets get played on commercial radio tunes. I write this on a National Express coach and that's a bit how it feels it gets you to a good place on a standard vehicle then forget about it.

I prefer the last two tracks especially the last one 'Roaming' which seems to be a live version, gives a more personal feel with more stripped back music. Jacko does know how to write a tune, but I want to hear that sound more like him than what he thinks will be popular.  Great music becomes popular on its own right anyway and the best acts are those that innovate and push boundaries not confined within them.

Review by Jon Cooper