Lucky Eye

This album was the final album from the legendary Flat Duo Jets. Commercially it was a flop, but in my option is was released to late in the when the trend started leaning to pop,hiphop,and more heavily rock. But nevertheless the songs on this album are so well produced and dexter pulled out bangers with this album. This album is not for everyone though, so there's thats

Not my fav Flat Duo Jets record, but near the top of the list. I've always loved Dexter Romweber's guitar playing. It's based on very traditional elements but really has a sound like no one else. Raw and chunky, but simultaneously very expressive with subtleties you gotta really listen for to appreciate. Anyway the record has yet more FJD instrumentals (which I never tire of) where they add yet one more variation on a theme that I thought had been exhausted, and do it in a really musical and creative way. The vocal numbers are great, especially "the hustle and bustle of this modern world". Sung with just the right kinda jaded but hopeful emphasis. Overall a great record and I'm glad they are still putting out material.

Is this happening? For years me and my friends who have a professed love for this band, have wondered why no major or even small time imprint major label off-shoot would take the chance on these guys. Well, now that time has come and I for exactly one week after release while I waited for it to arrive in the mail, I thought, "What will happen to their sound in a plush studio? What if they overdub too much?" I saw that same happen to Horton Heat after his first 2 LP's. Finally it came and the first thing to hit my ears was the amp hum coming through on the opener "Lucky Eye". At the same time, there is a crisp yet live sound to the album that it would seem that producers Scott Litt (who's worked with REM so much as to almost be synonymous with them)and Chris Stamey (of the dB's)were waiting to make this record and already knew how to get a full studio sound without losing the live punch of the band. Most times the only overdubbing is an occasional lead guitar, but there are also strings. Now, that could have gone either way, fortunatly it went the right way and "Go This Way" is a song that you almost wish they would play on the radio a hundred times. It's all here, the crooner style ballads, the tough guy snarling guitar, the link wray-gene vincent garage rumble...Only now instead of sounding like your grandpa's old 45's they sound like digitally remastered 16 track originals. Now, all we need to do is get these guys on the radio...

I knew I was going to be disappointed when I saw the picture on the back of the case. Crow looks way to clean shaven. I was used to seeing the long haired lanky man reigning over his drum set. This is a big difference compared to the power of Safari's cover. Just like the picture, this is a much tamer version of the flat duo jets. The songs just don't have the same energy as the earlier material. And the many instruments and overdubs also detract from the overall quality. It is still a decent record, but far from the jet's best work. The raw edge which initially drew me to love Dex and Crow is completely gone here.

Having been a Jets fan since their debut ten years ago, I have everything they've recorded. I was hoping "Lucky Eye" would find them reaching the produced heights of "White Trees." But with so many instrumentals, you can tell Dex and Crow are running out of gas. Dex has lost his edge. I have no problem with him being a one-trick-pony, but . . .

On YouTube I discovered a guy called 'Puddles Pity Party' who did AGT and does song covers he put up on YouTube (stay with me on this). One of his covers was a song 'Lonely Guy' which I could not get out of my head. Checked it out and found this gem 'Lucky Eye' by Flat Duo Jet which has the original version penned by the duo. 'Lonely Guy' is the standout track but many other goodies on this 18 tracker. Not so cheap but got this new copy from AmazonUS and it was delivered in fairly short timescale. No regrets on this purchase. A few instrumentals on this so a mix of material but can't stop playing 'Lonely Guy'.