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John David & The Jerks I Love You Means I’m Lucky Review by Gary Hill Old school rock and roll, folk, country and more are the main elements on this set. That said, there are moments that even work toward modern alternative rock based stuff and early Pink Floyd. The most common denominator on this set, though, would be the various musical eras of Bob Dylan. A lot of this has a good deal in common with Dylan's sounds. Not everything here is great, but the valleys aren't all that deep, and the peaks more than make up for them. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2018 Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review

Blizzard Road An acoustically based number, this is slow and quite pretty. It is built on a lot of country music texture. I suppose Americana or folk music would be good headers for this kind of stuff. It's very much roots based sound.

Snow on a Coal Mine Still quite retro in texture, this is much more of a rocker. It's energetic and a lot of fun. Pedal steel guitar brings some country elements to the table.

Yellow Moon Much more of a rock and roller, this is a smoking hot tune. The vocals are a bit rough around the edges in a DIY way, but it somehow adds to the charm of the piece. The organ lends a retro texture.

Swedish Dream There is appropriately a dreamy texture to this piece. It's again well based on acoustic modes, but there are hints of things like early Pink Floyd in some of the layers that are laced over the top of this tapestry. The vocals come in feeling rather distant. It lends a bit of a Muse vibe somehow.

I’ll Die of Grief This is a classic sounding rocker. It seems like the kind of thing that could have been all over the radio in the early 1970s. This is one of the best cuts here and is so cool. It reminds me of the electric side of Paul Simon's music.

I Only Want Your Love Retro textured and classy, this has a definite country and rockabilly vibe built into it. It's another standout piece.

Every Little Road I like the horn on this cut. The vocals on this one definitely make me think of Dylan in a lot of ways. This one has a definite awkward texture to it, yet it still works.

Ever Hear Here's another rocking tune. The vocals are echoey and distant. This is classy stuff. It has a lot of energy and even a bit of a punk edge to it.

Come on Home Folk music, roots sounds and alternative all seem to merge here. The number is rather moody, but also very effective.

Oh Savannah Rockabilly based, this is classy stuff. It has a lot of energy and really works well. In fact, I'd consider this to be one of the highlights of the disc.

Must We Break A much mellower cut, there is a lot of country and folk music here. It's slow moving and reasonably effective, but not really a standout.

Friend Like You The album is closed by another fast paced rocker. I consider that a good decision. This is solid stuff that's among the better material here.

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