Jack Jose Archive
Jack Jose
When We Were Romans
Cincinatti’s Jack Jose has one of those voices that makes you think that, if you happened to meet one day, you’d probably be fast friends. His songs communicate an easy and seemingly effortless authenticity that a lot of artists would kill to possess.
“When We Were Romans” - something of a travelogue reminiscence in the shape of one of the best goddamn drinking songs we’ve heard in ages - is the second single from Jose since the album “A Sunlit Place” - a truly beautiful and revelatory document that a whole lot more people should know about.
Another album from Jack can’t come soon enough, but in the meantime this track has been growing on me day by day and I’m not sure I’ll ever spend another vacation in my life without it swirling around in my head the whole time.
Fans of Paul Westerberg, World Party, and the like - or fans of exceptional songcraft and lyricism - should know about Jack Jose.
Jack Jose
My Only Friend
Sometimes you write something so good that you have to get it out in the world, whether it was part of the plan or not. Cincy songsmith Jack Jose has an album in the final stages of coming together, but before we get to revel in that treat, Jose has gifted us with this excellent addition to his catalog.
Of a piece with “No Conditions Love” off the stellar A Sunlit Place album, Jose again exposes his deepest vulnerabilities to us with wicked turns of phrase and an endearing humor, wrapped up in a catchy little rock song.
It’s likely familiar to a lot of listeners, particularly creative types with a whole pocketful of social anxieties - indulging in self-destructive behavior because it makes you feel interesting and attractive and part of the club.
The narrative in “My Only Friend” is a pretty straight-forward one, but it’s told with aplomb and punctuated with one of the best lyrical hooks Jose has produced yet - “I’d rather be my own worst enemy than be my only friend”.
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