Uncle Jack – Shrink – Review

Uncle Jack

Shrink
by Rich Romaine

After hearing good things about this melodic metal band from Maine, I finally got a chance to hear Shrink. No bio, no clippings; just a CD. I have no idea how long Uncle Jack has been around or what else they may have done, but based on this disc alone, they’re solid. Tightly-crafted, filled with solos, chunky rhythms, and one of the better bassists I’ve heard in some time. This band would rock anywhere. The singer has a great range and a strong sense of harmony. He switches between falsetto warble and hardcore roar quickly enough that you don’t get sick of either tired style. Luckily, he uses the extremes sporadically to accentuate a rich, and often snarling, mid-range. The comparisons to Twisted Roots are inevitable, especially because they’re the only other band I’ve heard from Maine, but Uncle Jack has a good sound and are all first rate musicians.