Jack Drag

Unisex Headwave (Hep-Cat)
by Katy Shea

Unisex Headwave is the note-worthy second release from Jack Drag, a Boston-based trio led by Boston/Somerville-ite Jack Dragonetti. The CD’s tone is at times pure pop ethereal or woozy psychedelic “slackadaisical” and at others, an inventive, overly fuzzy organ-fueled search for a melody. Frontman Dragonetti is quoted as saying “I won’t kid myself – I am definitely a pop songwriter. But I do my best to mess it up.” This captures the essence of the attitude that produced this album. The surprise is that it works. The song topics range from trying to surf on the Charles River to wanting a tattoo “just like you…”

“Bad Mood” is a standout, as it possesses a readily apparent guitar hook and a clearly discernible melody. Still the production is low-key enough to keep the sounds interesting and new and, unfortunately, probably off of mainstream radio for a while, which is a shame since Jack Drag emerges as a perfect blend of college pop, experimental instrumentation (a kid’s drum set, a ’60s Hagstrom whose bass strings have never been changed) and a genuine case of the crazies.

There is a hidden track on the album consisting mostly of a loop of guitar distortion and keyboard noises (not being one to ever leave anyone out of the inside skinny… it’s not really worth it).

Their sound is like an air-conditioned taxi cab – it’s a great surprise but you don’t know how long it will last. Thus, it will be interesting to see if the integrity of the choices they’ve made so far will remain intact on their new CD to be released on A&M in early 1998.