Jay Jerz is a Connecticut based multi-instrumental solo artist and drummer with If Not For Dreaming. His discography aside of this solo release begins as the drummer of three Connecticut based acts: Street, Cheater and Silent Shadows and also as rhythm guitarist for Kai Blackwood, before laying down drum tracks on tribute albums to both Kiss and Queensryche. His touring career meanwhile has lifted him into a higher profile in the rock world having shared stages with the likes of Udo, Raven, Ratt, White Lion, Union, Nuno Bettencourt and the Misfits.

Throughout this solo release it is easy to pick out Jay's self proclaimed influences, which are broad ranging and include everything from Kiss to Gordon Lightfoot, from Billy Squier to dare I say it The Beatles. 'Alone' is very back to basics drums, bass, vocals, and guitar in a stripped down and raw just as rock 'n' roll was intended way, only in this case all provided by the man of the moment and all done with only four days in the studio. The very raw sound is far from polished and this is why I have warmed to this release very quickly, the gritty less than perfect vocal performance is the perfect contrast to the near perfect Pro Tools age we live in, and it all naturally falls into place for this reason.

It's difficult to pick out any standout tracks only because they are all very different, with the consistency coming from the overall delivery. The opening track 'You Never Tried' is a slow- fast-slow kind of stomper, whilst 'Everything's Alright' has an old school punk feel as has 'You Can't Hide Your Lies'. 'Stranger' is a sort of slow strum along that builds, and prior to reading anything 'Don't Bring Me Down' seemed so familiar I assumed it was a cover (it is, it's an ELO cover - ÜRHQ).

This is a solid release and one that I will continue to play, with the only possible negative (if it is one) being the varied influences coming out too much that set my mind wondering when "now this would be a perfect song for whoever" and imagining what they would do with it, which I guess is also a credit to the strength of the songwriting on display here.

I am certainly looking forward to hearing Jay's next release 'Rollercoaster Mind', with is due any day now apparently.

Hats off to Mr Jay Jerz then, you won't be 'Alone' for long fella.

http://www.jayjerz.com/home.htm