Album Review: The Screaming Jets ‘Chrome’

As one of Australia’s most revered bands, The Screaming Jets commanded our music scene during the 90s with their brand of classic pub-rock written by punters, for punters. Interestingly  most of the Jets’ biggest hits were more often melodic, pop-rock numbers than the balls-out rock featured on the majority of their albums. Still, the Jets’ latest album ‘Chrome’ contains none of these melodic hit-makers, instead packing plenty of hard-rock, a clear strategic move to return to their roots and please their devoted fan base.

As the band’s founders and only remaining original members , singer Dave Gleeson and bassist Paul Woseen had a substantial influence on ‘Chrome’, writing or co-writing every track. Kicking off the album is Automatic Cowboy, a grunge-powered tune that sets the tone for a wild ride, and a message to fans that the Jets are going to rock you to the core.

Cash In Your Ticket follows, earning its ‘stadium rock’ label with a well-written chorus evoking visions of crowds swaying their arms in the air. Although it starts off strong, not every number on ‘Chrome’ is as worthy of status. Razor and No Place No Home somewhat miss the mark, too slow for their own good. Including filler in a record is hardly a new tactic, but the Jets thankfully return to form after these two blimps.

Kicking off the album is Automatic Cowboy, a grunge-powered tune that sets the tone for a wild ride, and a message to fans that the Jets are going to rock you to the core.

In simple terms, The Grip is a fast, rocking tune that’ll get you moving if turned up loud enough, and the same can be said for much of the material on the album. It’s been years since the Jets have had any charting material, and so the pressure of trying to satisfy the music media has been lifted, resulting in music that sounds liberated and free.

Sex and Violence takes a dark lyrical turn, featuring lines like, “Spite her blood on the party dress/Her beautiful face a beautiful mess/No one to blame and no one to call/Bruise on her face, it ain’t from a fall”, while Won’t Stop You lightens the mood with a jiving alt-rock groove. Regardless of whether you like the songs or not, you can’t deny that the guitar solos pump even the weaker tracks with life.

Vocally, Dave Gleeson delivers a typically strong performance in his unique style throughout Smack in the Mouth. The track features a riff that could have been inspired by AC/DC or Gleeson’s current band The Angels, while Scar sees the Jets firing all guns. ‘Chrome’ is closed out by Turn It Around, an appropriate finisher that leaves nothing left unsaid – it rocks hard, and includes every necessary ingredient for a good Jets song.

The final verdict: ‘Chrome’ may not win over the ears of every listener, but it doesn’t deny the fans of The Screaming Jets what they want to hear – the Jets rocking at their hardest, with no pop songs in the mix. You can almost hear them exclaim, “you beauty!” ‘Chrome’ is a solid rock album, The Screaming Jets proving that even after 27 years and numerous lineup changes, they can rock harder than ever.

The Screaming Jets ‘Chrome’ Tour 

Fri 7 OCT
Hallam Hotel, Hallam VIC
Sat 8 OCT
Gateway Hotel, Corio VIC
Fri 14 OCT
Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga NSW
Sat 15 OCT
Club Muhwala, Muhwala NSW
Fri 21 OCT
Belmont 16’s, Belmont NSW
Sat 22 OCT
Revesby Workers Club, Kallangur QLD
Fri 28 OCT
Parkwood Tavern, Parkwood QLD
Sat 29 OCT
Racehorse Hotel, Booval QLD

Get Tickets HERE