Music Review: Denney And The Jets, Mexican Coke

By Melissa Bratcher

There’s an undercurrent of sleaziness running through Denney And The Jets’ debut album, Mexican Coke. Frontman Chris Denney’s bio reads like a cautionary young adult novel: stealing pills from his grandma at nine, smoking two packs a day, and pot at thirteen. On Mexican Coke, Denney writes and sings about these experiences (as well as meth, beauty queens, and the seamy underbelly of society) and is backed by a band that has listened to more than a few Stones records.

Denney And The Jets’ debt to the Stones is never more evident than on “Bye Bye Queenie,” a rousing stomp of a song with loads of interesting guitar flourishes and what sounds like an organ solo played so high that only dogs can hear. Lead guitarist Sean Cotton’s dirty guitar on the garage-y “Water To Wine” is the right kind of filthy. In fact, the guitar sound throughout the album is remarkable; just the perfect level of muddy crunch.

The ’50s pop of “Darlin’” is oddly produced. The organ sounds holy and the echoey guitar sounds out of place, though the last 40 seconds of the song are truly fine. It just doesn’t gel well. The bright acoustic guitar and subtle percussion of “Alabama Man” subvert the cheating song that ends in violence, making an interesting juxtaposition. “Mama’s Got The Blues” is a nod to swaggering ’70s Southern arena rock.

“Runnin’ Through The Woods” would have been an excellent album closer. It’s spare and confessional with lovely piano, and suggests a level of intimacy that the album could have benefited from. Instead, Mexican Coke closes with the lackluster call and response of “Charlie’s Blues,” about a man with some rather serious problems.

As a backing band, The Jets rock. Muscular guitar from Sean Cotton, tight drumming from Evan Scala, and the fine bass of Joey Scala make up a classic combo that kicks ass. The problem, though, is Chris Denney’s grating voice. I understand—you write the songs, you get to sing them. But his nasal whine became annoying by track two and by track five almost unbearable. Some bands are really great live, and perhaps Denney And The Jets is one of those bands. If a track on Mexican Coke popped up on a compilation or sampler CD, it would be fine, surprising even. Unfortunately, over ten tracks, it’s tiresome.

Mexican Coke was released on April 8 through Burger Records.