“Who is the greatest opening act you’ve ever seen?” It’s a question I’ve heard tossed around a lot, but we need to be clear on what constitutes an “opening act”. An “opening act” is not a smaller legacy act opening for two or more bigger legacy acts. No, an “opening act” is a new, up and coming act who you went in with zero knowledge of and walked out a full blown fan. By these standards, Jared James Nichols is the greatest opening act I’ve seen in my life. It was 6 years ago now that I caught him opening for UFO and Saxon on their co-headline tour. By the end of his 30 minute set, the entire theater would be on their feet, screaming for an encore. This happened time and time again (I saw this tour about 3 or 4 times).
Fast forward 6 years later and I’ve been vigilantly following Nichols ever since. I caught him yet again opening for UFO, this time on their Last Orders Tour, as well as making a surprise cameo appearance with Tesla for a ferocious rendition of “Cumin’ Atcha Live”. As Nichols continued to establish himself as a live tour de force, I and other fans alike patiently awaited the arrival of new music…and waited…and waited…and then the lockdown happened, so we waited some more. Now, after years of non-stop touring and a global pandemic, Jared James Nichols is back with a vengeance with his self titled sophomore album, and it is anything but a slump.
Fusing blues, soul, and a whole lot of heavy rock n’ roll, Jared James Nichols showcases the guitarist’s refreshing spin on the classic styles of yesteryear. Loud, boisterous cuts like “My Delusion” and “Easy Come, Easy Go” fuse rip roaring guitar work, a thunderous rhythm section, and soaring vocals, coated by an unhealthy but too good to refuse layer of sweat and hair. “Hard Wired” stands out as a sludgy spin on old school blues rock, while “Bad Roots” borders on traditional metal, with its Stained Class era Judas Priest riffs and a hefty production. When he’s cranking out tracks like this, it’s no wonder Nichols is so widely loved among headbangers!
One aspect of this release that’s noteworthy is that the balladesque tracks on here aren’t even really “ballads” per se, but rather more original JJN compositions slowed down. In other words, don’t expect a syrupy, sugary wimp-out that’ll bog down this muscular release. “Down the Drain” displays exemplary contrast with its mellow verses and massive chorus, “Skin ‘n Bone” could be easily retitled “Blues ‘n Balls”, and the soloing on “Shadow Dancer” practically leaps out of the speaker, grabbing the listener by their neck. Other surprises include the dirty, dance-worthy funk rock of “Good Time Girl”, as well as the Trouble-esque “doom blues” of “Hallelujah” and “Saint or Fool”, two songs on which the band showcase their collective jamming chops.
I’d be afraid to lay a finger on Nichols right now, because this dude is on a HOT streak. Not only is he one of the finest axe-slingers on the planet, but he’s a killer songwriter and a powerhouse vocalist as well. If Ted Nugent and Steve Marriott had a baby, it would be Jared James Nichols, and if that description doesn’t get you excited, you probably don’t like rock n’ roll. In the name of all things “Gonzo” and “Hot ‘N’ Nasty”, I raise a virtual toast to the finger-pickin, blues-powered mutha that is JJN. Cheers!
8 out of 10
Label: Black Hill Records
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Ted Nugent, Humble Pie, Dirty Honey