Galactus Jack

Would you believe that there’s a guy doing Christian dance/house music and he is actually good? Well, believe it, because Ben Jack, AKA, Galactus Jack, is here with his solo debut, Reality Bytes. In the biggest surprise of the year, this album is strong and one of the most fun experiences to come from the Christian music scene so far. It’s easy to imagine tearing up the dance floor to any of these songs, no matter who you are.

Honestly, nobody listens to house music for the lyrics, as most house music is about the beat, so Jack leaves these minimal. Where there are lyrics, they are vague and serve mainly as another melody line. Take, “Hollywood”, where a simple verse about wanting to, “Rock out in Hollywood”, is repeated throughout the song, which uses the distorted beats and a syncopated rhythm to hold the listener’s interest, most of whom will be motivated to dance and hit replay just so the experience doesn’t have to end so soon. Surprisingly, there is only one song that goes beyond the four minute mark, making this EP short but sweet, leaving you wanting more, which is better than being overlong and making the listener want less.

Another highlight is the instrumental closer, “[Reality] Check”, which brings the EP to a soaring conclusion, with a chorus riff and a few mumbled lines about reality worming their way into the listener’s head and staying there for a good while. It takes talent to make a compelling and catchy song without using words, and Jack succeeds wonderfully here. The other two instrumentals, “[Reality] Test”, and, “[Reality] Fact/Fiction”, are similarly strong, though not quite as memorable.

There is also one instance where the album gets quite wordy, which is, “Temporary”, with a guest rapper who keeps the melody moving along smoothly, as Jack delivers a bright and catchy chorus. It’s a great little song, and even the simple message of life being temporary works without feeling contrived. The other lyrics on the album express simple ideas as well, but stay away from clichés and just keep it simple while creating a melody line, essentially using the voice as an instrument unto itself, rather than just a way to get lyrics out. It weaves together with the bass and the guitars and the driving beats.

With a style that stands out in the world of Christianity and the artistic credibility to pull it off with style, Galactus Jack is a welcome addition to the world of Christian music, and anyone taking the time to venture into the world of Reality Bytes will find that it was worth their while and they want to visit again soon.

Tagged as: Galactus Jack, Reality Bytes

↓ 5 comments

#1 Brian on August 2nd, 2009 at 12:07 am

Galactus Jack, while decent, is not the only game in town. Andy Hunter has been doing this for the better part of this decade and he does a far superior job. Jack’s first solo EP is good (and it’s a marked improvement from his the dance EP has former group, Aorta, put out), but not earth-shattering. Of the actual “songs” on this EP (not including the musical interludes), “Headspace” is the most danceable of the tracks, and I agree with you that “Temporary” is far and away the most wordy of the tracks. I actually found the sample repeated over and over in “Hollywood” to be quite annoying, especially when it becomes apparent that the vocal stutter technique is going to be used throughout most of the album. I would have liked to hear more variety than what this EP gives us, but the moments this EP has are good ones for sure. I’d give this one a 5 or a 6. Maybe a 5.5.

#2 John Wofford on August 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 am

Brenden, you walked right into a trap. Brian is extremely picky about his electronic music. Seriously, he’s addicted to it like chocolate. Or booze. Or chocolate with booze.

Okay, in addition to making my point, I’m suddenly craving chocolate and booze.

@#$!$#

#3 Brian on August 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm

Chocolate & booze…that sounds like a recipe for disaster there. John.

#4 John Wofford on August 3rd, 2009 at 12:24 am

One man’s disaster is another man’s… well, disaster. But sometimes it’s fun.

#5 John Wofford on August 3rd, 2009 at 12:25 am

DISCLAIMER:

The owners of Soul-Audio do not, in any way, endorse the words, thoughts, actions, or opinions of its former News Editor, John Wofford.

(So, in other words, it’s business as usual.) Haha!

Love you guys.

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