The Wallflowers
Breach

THE REVIEW

Introduction: There is only one Maradona, one Valentino Rossi, one Leonardo da Vinci. Translating this to music, I would say there is only one Mr. Dylan. No, that's not true; in fact, there are two, one is a certain Bob Dylan (and what can be said about this man...), and the other is blood of his blood, a certain Jakob Dylan.

Now here's the story: Jakob Dylan at some point formed a band, that is The Wallflowers. He could have formed a Football team, a Baseball team, a McDonald's, but no... our guy ventured into music. It's normal, predictable, and even superfluous that comparisons were immediately drawn. However, putting myself in the shoes of good Jakob, I imagine that carrying that surname and being a musician must not be the easiest thing. But here we are, this "Breach," work from 2000, following the previous "Bringin' Down the Horse" is not a bad album at all. Even though it's not a masterpiece, it's a good album that fits well into the landscape of American radio or pop rock, as you prefer, but undoubtedly a quality work. A quality work because the album is more than enjoyable to listen to and also offers some catchy and memorable songs.

Speaking purely of music and influences, this album is a child of Bruce Springsteen and the great Tom Petty and The HeartBreakers. Supported by excellent production and skilled multi-instrumentalists and former session musicians, the CD opens with "Letters from the Wasteland," a piece that before the explosion in the chorus sounds quite gloomy thanks to a nice bass line (there is also the presence of Frank Black singing in the chorus!!!). The following track, "Hand Me Down," boasts a beautiful Slide Guitar in full Tom Petty style and is also appreciated for Jakob's beautiful voice. The pace picks up a bit with the next "Sleepwalker," definitely radio-friendly (but it’s not an insult) and catchy, which immediately grabs you with the dialogue between the two guitars and boasts a Chorus that makes the foot tap on the floor. "I've been delivered" is definitely a beautiful song noted for a great background keyboard work and a nearly nursery rhyme-like singing. Worth mentioning is also the subsequent "Witness," a delicate ballad enriched by a remarkable arrangement. "Mourning train" and "Up from Under" are two simple, simple voice and acoustic guitar songs that inevitably feel like déjà-vu, already heard in other times and ways by Mr. Jokerman... they bring back to that Folk (first) Rock (after) ballad that made Bob Dylan a living monument. "Murder 101" is an engaging Punky-rock piece featuring Elvis Costello singing the backing vocals.

In conclusion, not a bad album. The three-star rating justifies an album that, however, lacks personality. I wonder what The Wallflowers would have done on their own without the skillful work of members of Heartbreakers, Jayhawks, Costello, and Frank Black, without their contribution of experience and talent.

Deferred.