These are the written notes for my review of Jukebox The Ghost's 2012 third studio album entilted Safe Travels. Watch my video review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuEUKLQ7BtU

1. Safe Travels by Indie and pop rock band Jukebox the Ghost. This album was
released in June 12th 2012; it’s their third studio album.
’ Jukebox the Ghost is a Washington D.C. born, Brooklyn-based three-piece
rock band consisting of Ben Thornewill (vocals & piano), Tommy Siegel (vocals &
guitar) and Jesse Kristin (drums).
Artist Background
’ Ben, Tommy and Jesse meet and formed a band called ’The Sunday Mail" in
2003 while attending George Washington University. Shortly after forming the
band took a two year hiatus and became Jukebox The Ghost.
’ In 2008, they released their first album "Let Live & Let Ghosts’, which
brought about a lot of phrase, most notably by The Washington Post and Spin
Magazine.
’ In 2010, in support of their second album ’Everything Under The Sun’, the
band appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, played with the band Free
Energy at Lollapalooza in Chicago, and opened for Barenaked Ladies on their Fall
US tour from October’November 2010.
’ Throughout their history Jukebox the Ghost has found a niche as a
’keyboard’ pop rock group that writes quirky songs that have a very upbeat,
catchy sound; similar to a band like Coldplay or Muse, but without the
atmospheric sound and mainstream appeal. That quirky writing style can be rooted
back to the bands retro to modern influences such as The Beatles, Elton John,
Billy Joel, Queen, They Might Be Giants, Ben Folds and Captain Beefheart.
Album Background
’ As I said before this album was released on June 12th 2012, via Yep Rock
Records, a small but very good label that features alternative band Fountains of
Wayne.
’ The artwork used on the albums packaging really sparked my original
interest in the band; it has a cool looking abstract ’splattered paint’ album
cover that in a way reminds me of the bands relaxed, refreshing and lighthearted
yet diverse sound.
One thing to know about the band before listening to this album is that they
don’t use a traditional lead singer or bassist; this means that every member
shares the writing and vocal duties and that song rhythms is kept by the piano
and drum beat.
Track by Track Review:
1. Somebody ’This is the first single the band released off this album. This
song starts out with an interesting slower paced intro that explodes into a huge
chorus. The use of the repetitive ’woah-ohs’ and cheerful instrumentals lead
perfectly into the chorus infectious chorus of ’I want it, I need it, I want
somebody’. The most surprising thing about this simple, joyous and happy
sounding song is its depressing meaning of trying to get out of a painful and
bad relationship.
2. Oh, Emily ’ This song is the second single off the album; it features
guitarist Tommy Siegel is on vocals. While it is obvious that he is the weaker
vocalist I believe this benefits the band because the pairing of his nasally
vocal style, and Jesse drum beat seem to fit better with the upbeat yet
secretly sad theme that the track is going for, rather than Ben's more
classically stronger voice might. Tommy’s guitar playing seems heavier on this
song, especially when you compare it with the crashing piano chords and the
catchy chorus.
The songs ’Somebody’ and ’Oh Emily’ not only create powerful one-two punch of
’catchiness’ atop the album.
3. At Last ’ This song starts out slow with a simple piano chord and vocal
pairing, that reminds me of Elton John. The song then builds up to become a sort
of layered mash up of stringed and procession instruments that is capped with
some nice sounding guitar solos and vocals, that remind me of Queen’s Freddie
Mercury.
4. Say When ’ This song starts off with a rock inspired slide guitar riff,
similar to a 1980’s rock song that moves into a drum lead and duel vocal
pairing, that give the song a mello pop rock vibe. The song then builds into a
very fast-paced, catchy chorus, with some spacey effects and finishes with some
extremely strong instrumentals, including a crashing drum buildup that at one
point reminded me of Blink-182.

2. 5. Don't Let Me Fall Behind – This song takes the listener on a gradual
roller coaster ride because of the overall tempo. It features a huge buildup
that slowly picks up speed as is heads towards the chorus then it crashes during
the chorus. The overall tempo mixed with the classically sounding vocals by
singer Ben Thornewill seem to hint at a Beatles and Paul McCartney influence.
6. Dead – This song seems to show off the bands diverse and creative side.
This song starts off with a very spooky, dark vibe that when paired with Tommy–s
–boyish– sounding vocals seem to get increasingly more depressed as the song
reach its heavy drum laced climax.
7. Adulthood – This song brings back the catchy upbeat vibe to the album. It
starts out with a drum led beat that really stands out to me and sets the tone
for the song, especially when paired with Ben–s classical vocal style. If you
look past the upbeat melody to the lyrics you will see that they are rather dark
and depressing, this song is no exception.
8. Ghosts In Empty Houses – This song was originally written in 2008 by Tommy
Siegel, but it ended up on this album. Looking back at the bands catalog I now
understand why they put this song on this album; this song, like many others on
here, has a more upbeat, creative feel that their other album only had in small
doses. This song starts out with another big pop rock with instrumental opening
that give off a genuinely happy feel as the band examines the topic of turning
your life around before it–s too late.
These next two songs seem to go together as a pair; both tracks have a ballady
song structure. The vocals this entire album as well as the guitar leads on –All
For Love–, seem to be Queen and Freddie Mercury inspired.
9. Devils On Our Side – This song starts out with a long, catchy piano chord
that seems to fit in perfectly with Ben–s classical vocal style, especially in
the beginning. One thing that caught my attention was the tempo change about
halfway through the song; when a violin joins the heavier piano chord and Ben–s
vocals so really to really capture the emotional pain of this track.
10. All For Love – This song starts out with a simple piano/vocal pairing that
seems to travel and climax with a layered mash up of guitars leads, drums and
different sounding Christmas bell inspired instrumentation that I really liked a
lot.
11. Man In The Moon – I really enjoyed this song. It is written as a beautiful
short-interlude type acoustic ballad that tells of how homesick Tommy, as the
band tours a lot. There is really no different instruments used on this song
expect for a soft piano backing.
12. Everybody Knows – This song opens on a very powerful note as the drums and
vocals, which are surprisidly heavier sounding seem to crash done on the
listener, which is a touch I loved. The song progresses to include so obvious
Queen inspired vocals, a string section and unexpected sweet guitar solo to
finish the song.
13. The Spiritual - This song closes out the album on a strong R& B and Soul
inspired note. It starts out slow with a slow layered intro that includes Billy
Joel backing voices that sound similar to a church choir with catchy handclaps.
The song continues on a very depressed monotone vibe that see the band looking
at their past mistakes, reminding me of the song –When The Fog Rolls In– by
Train or once again of Queen–s Freddie Mercury.
Favorite Tracks
Somebody, Oh Emily, At Last, Say When, Adulthood, Ghosts In Empty Houses, All
For Love, Man In The Moon, Everybody Knows
My Thoughts:
On this album we see the band maturing as both song writers and musicians
Songwriters:
They write about serious issues such as death, breakups and growing up
that can be seen on songs like –Adulthood–, –Dead–, –Oh Emily–, and –Somebody–.
It also seems like the uses a wide the variety of instruments, such as an
accordion, bass guitar, congas and a string section act as a mask to allow the
band to write dark and depressing songs that come off as being happy and upbeat.
Musicians: The
band is also trying to experiment with their sound on this record. every song
seems to be peppered with a new and different element; whether it be on a
single songs opening buildup, the instrumentation used on a track, way the

3. vocals are performed (much of the time sounding like Freddie Mercury of Queen)
or changing the overall style from soft to heavy (with the drums on “Say When“ )
or ballady to acoustic on tracks like “Devils On Our Side“, “All For Love“
and “Man In The Moon“ , I respect and like this band because they are confident
in their abilities and are willing to take risk, unlike a lot of today“s “pop“
artists“
Production:
The production of this album caught my attention as well; it is absolutely
stunning, as every note sounds clearer, especially when compared to the
instrumentals of past albums. This “polish“ has allowed the band to expand both
their sound and appeal to a larger audience, which means that this album has
something for everyone.
Any fan of Indie Rock music, new music or a Queen fan (because of Ben“s strong
vocals) will appreciate this album
Upcoming reviews include:
1. AC/DC
2. Lorde
3. Avenged Sevenfold
4. Queen of the Stone Age
5. Blue October
6. Dr Dog
7. Wilco
8. Luke Bryan
9. Tan Vampires
10. The 1975
11. Tom Odell
12. Imagine Dragons
13. Halestorm
14. Alter Bridge
15. Jet Gladstone
16. Eric Church
17. Tom Petty
18. Sound City Soundtrack
19. Guns N Roses
20. Jimmy Eat World
21. Theory of A Deadman
22. Moon Taxi
23. Grouplove
24. Sleeping With Silence
25. Blink-182
26. Blake Shelton
27. Black veil Brides
28. Darius Rucker
http://www.muzikdizcovery.com/2012/06/album-review-jukebox-ghost-safe-
travels.html