Karma Gambit’s debut LP, This is Probably a Mistake, But …, is a forceful forging of signature Jack Linden folk-rock with blasts of Beatlesque/Bowie-like power-pop. In support of the album, they will play March 10 at Crossroads, Garwood; April 6, Asbury Park Music Foundation; April 19, The Asbury hotel, and April 20, John and Peter's, New Hope. PHOTO BY BRIAN CURRY
On Karma Gambit’s debut LP, This is Probably a Mistake, But …, singer-songwriter-guitarist Jack Linden combines the strong folk-rock of his previous band, Rose Boulevard, with blasts of power pop, largely forged from The Beatles and David Bowie, but also chunks of Cheap Trick and the whimsy and wonder of Weezer. There’s even a surprising reference to Rick Springfield.
Engineer-bassist-guitarist Sean Ahern does a great job crafting the disparate elements into a cohesive sound, while layering the gang vocals that permeate the 10-song collection and keeping the rhythms tight and energetic along with drummer Sean Clinton. Like Rose Boulevard, Karma Gambit features Linden’s younger brother, Jeff, a strong songwriter is his own right who fronts the Black Spot Society, which also features Jack. I would love to see the Linden Brothers form a band in which they share singing and songwriting responsibilities, but in the meantime, This is Probably a Mistake is a great excursion into the Beatlesque trip that is Jack Linden’s mind. Here’s a look at each track:
See the Linden Brothers play together live in both their bands when Karma Gambit and the Black Spot Society help The Whispers celebrate the release of their debut EP on March 10 at Crossroads in Garwood along with Scout and Power Lines. Karma Gambit also will play April 6 at Asbury Park Music Foundation; April 19, The Asbury hotel, and April 20, John and Peter's, New Hope.
Bob Makin is the reporter for MyCentralJersey.com/entertainment and a former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him at [email protected]. And like Makin Waves at www.facebook.com/makinwavescolumn.
