by Kris Handel (@khandel84)
Jobber to the Stars is the debut full length of the quartet known as Jobber hailing from New York, and they are anything but lightweights when it comes to muscular power-pop nuggets. The band is fronted by Kate Meizner (guitar/vocals), who has a way with a cool, laidback, chirpy vocal style and slashing guitar technique that is both cunning and powerful. Jobber are no novices when it comes to their resumes, as each member has a long list of credits with a handful of underground notables. This works in their favor as they have learned to utilize many tricks to keep their brand of noise-making sneakily complex and fluid. To the Stars mixes early grunge and some heavy rock with quirky keyboard-focused melodies that will have you recalling Rentals and Fountains of Wayne, or early New Pornographers bursts of sweetness to lead you into a trap before a massive musical RKO.
“Nightmare” dropkicks you in the face with a circling keyboard line and stinging guitar pattern before exploding into a piledriving and delightful “Oh My God/I’m living in a nightmare” chorus. Meizner’s chiming pop charms shine brightly as guitar cuts in and out of stop/start patterns and before exploding into screaming dissonance. “Pillman’s Got a Gun” is a powerful and heavy mood setter as Jobber fall into a bit of sludge under Meizner and Michael Falcone’s vocals swirl into a sweet/sour amalgamation. The song manages to mix disappointment with a tender resignation while striking a powerful punch via Meizner’s majestic vocal performance that elicits a strong emotional connection with high impact.
“Jobber to the Stars Pt.1” has a hint of resignation as Meizner’s vocals solemnly drawl through a hazy shuffling and patient throbbing. Falcone’s drums slowly shuffle while he drops thudding bass lines and Meizner’s and Michael Juive’s guitars dance around her echoing vocals in a disorienting slightly psychedelic haze. “Extreme Rules” would fit almost perfectly on Sugar’s Copper Blue, as Meizner handles double duties on guitar and keyboards. The keyboards buzz in the background as guitars chunk and ring throughout this flawless display of harmony and sinewy muscle that makes for a towering and intimidating presence that is merciless and inescapable.
Jobber to the Stars tops the New York band’s very impressive entrance that was the Hell In a Cell EP, as they show off their deep repertoire of moves that will have you gasping for air. Jobber have assembled a record that is fresh and memorable, full of energy and passion that can’t help but burst out of the speakers.These songs combine into a deceptively captivating whole and To the Stars is a record that is a lot of fun to indulge in. The band might be easy to overlook and underestimate, but this record should have them patting themselves on the back as their opponents lay motionless flat on their backs.