JC Autobody – Turbo (Doomsday Radio Edition)

Label: Young Tobacco
Releasedate: 22 November 2019

Jonathon Newby was the lead singer of the post-hardcore/progressive rock band Brazil from its inception in 2000 until August 2007. Jonathon and his brother Nic newly were two of the founding members. On earlier Brazil recordings, Jonathon played drums but eventually became the lead singer. Newby left the band in 2007, resulting in its break-up. In 2010 Newby formed JC Autobody, for which he continues to perform, write and produce. In 2014 he formed the studio projects City Water, JXMAS and Poorly Built Men with his brother Nic. He currently works as a designer while retaining full ownership of and running the labels Young Tobacco and Oleta Publishing Company.

Newby is currently writing, producing and performing under the names JC Autobody, City Water, JXMAS and Poorly Built Men. In addition to providing the vocals and serving as producer, Newby has played nearly every instrument on the studio recordings for his current projects.

Right, intro over and done with – now for the real deal and see/hear what his new album is all about. 😉

The first track ‘I’m a fuel injected suicide machine’ is a short intro with hints of Nu-Metal.

The title song of the album ‘Turbo’ is reminiscent of progressive rock bands like the Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd and others, on the cuff of inventing new music. Turbo has blues and rock influences and is a very calm but slightly dark sounding track. Cleverly composed and mixed, to my feeling the kind of track you want to enjoy late at night with a glass of whiskey.

‘Savage’ starts with a panther growl – very similar to the one featured on Janet Jackson’s “Black Cat” off her “Rythm Nation 1814” album back in 1989 – going over in slow distorted guitar riff, building again into a track very reminiscent to the bands of the mid to late 60’s.

The next track ‘Inner Circle’ continues on the same footing. Heavy guitars with Jonathon’s distinctive voice. Slow and heavy, laced with bass and lead guitars. At 4 minute 50sec. quite a lenghty song which does not change much throughout its running, and to my personal opionion become quite longwinded past 3 minutes.

The next two songs ‘Dark Passenger’ and ‘Serpentine’ start off with a bass guitar riff slowly building into a relatively good song, however the style does not vary much compared to previous tracks.

Track 7 ‘Analog Scum’ is nothing but 1m40sec. of distorted guitars and synthesizers noise – something you would hear in a horror movie just before something scary might happen.

‘Bring me my jacket’ is a very psychedelic sounding track, slow and mesmerising.

The ninth track ‘Horsepower’ is very Deep Purple like with guitar riffs on the forefront and vocals drowned out to the background. Compared to the previous tracks on this album it has a higher tempo and rocks a bit more.

‘I’m just heer for the gasoline’ is another interlude if you like. Leaning towards punk and very short at 1m 30 sec, merely repeating the title of the song several times.

The next four tracks are covers and as such to be left with their original creators’ intent in tact. Warpaint’s ‘Here we come’; ‘Space Truckin’ by Deep Purple; Pentagram’s ‘Forever my Queen’ and ‘Rumble’ by Link Wray sound as intended and to be honest, I cannot falter JC Autobody’s rendition of these tracks.

Overall not a bad album from JC Autobody, but to my taste a little to monotonous, even though I am of the older generation who likes the bands of the mid to late ’60s. Most tracks which would appeal to the over-40 generation who appreciate this kind of rock, blues and folk influenced music, with a wink back to the heroes of progressive and psychedelic rock.

Line up:

• Jonathon Newby – Vocals & Instruments