Another CD lands on the mat of Uber Rock HQ with little more than a sleeve and a shiny disc to go on. So, into the death decks it goes, crank up the volume and sit back. Jack Scratch get proceedings underway with some meaty guitars and a decent pace as 'Broken Dreams' riffs its way out of the speakers not knowing what or where it wants to fit in. Neither a dull opener nor a barnstormer. 

'Promises' is well...um...promising, I guess as it works its way into my head via some pretty meaty guitar work and a glugging bass line - it's a lot brighter than the album opener.

Jack Scratch seem to have been around the Chicago scene for many years but with a hefty hiatus before returning this year with the album '2012'. Knocking out some fairly standard hard rock with lots of dual guitar work entwined in the tracks, 'Hold On Me' reminds me a lot of bands like Big Country without the bagpipe sound on the guitar but it definitely has that '80s rock feel to proceedings. 'On Your Back' begins with some demonic backwards tracking and I dare play it the right way just in case it tells me to "Do it , Do it" in a Judas Priest kinda way: I wouldn't want the PMRC to go after these boys - no way.

Anyway back to the music and it's obvious these boys enjoy the '80s rock as 'Passion Fashion' again has a feel of some of the big hitters from back in the day in the songwriting and, dare I say it, has some new romantic melody and bass workout going on, but played out with a meat and veg hard rock sound. 'So Far From Home' wishes it was a Cult classic from the harder rocking 'Love' era, if you catch my drift, whilst 'When Worlds Collide' has a hint of Kirk Brandon about it.

It's not that I don't like this record because there are moments where it's pretty good but it's just been done by others a hell of a lot better. 'Indeed' is worth checking out as it's a good song and has a lot of energy and is maybe a direction the band should have gone for more often, whereas 'A Different Time' has a bit of the Dokkens about it in the opening lick which is a bit confusing compared to a lot of the others songs on the album and. sandwiched between the two brightest tracks. it's inconsistent. 'See Saw' is another good song along with 'Indeed' but not enough of this record is as good as these two standout tracks which is a shame because when Jack Scratch are good they're pretty good, but when they're not they're...um...pretty forgettable.

http://www.jackscratchband.com/