Souljak uses an interlude in this record to explain their name. The general idea is that it's like hijacking someone's soul for Christ. It's also, according to the band, "kind of like 'Kojak,' only it's different." I have to agree, it is a pretty cool name. I thought it might have been a tribute to the mediocre Emilio Estevez and Mick Jagger film, Freejack. Too bad they couldn't get any help from the Mickster on this album.
It's as straight-ahead as Cheerios. The most basic of pop-rock and occasionally country constructions. Some additional drum fills or breakaways from the simple rhythm guitars would have added so much. Even when they turn up the distortion on the electric guitars, the end result is cacophonous because of the thin vocals and general over-production. Darren Heroldt is a good singer, but his voice seems more suited for piano-accompaniment than for rock of any kind.
That being said, the songs are catchy and the electric guitar solos aren't bad at all. If you're bringing in a band to play for the high school youth group, you could do worse than Souljak.
"Strange Boy" was actually quite solid. The vocal harmonies and a Police-like backbeat on the verses gave the band some personality that I felt was lacking on the other tracks.
As a whole, Souljak's lyrics are honest, relational and devotional. The song "Gramma" does refer to life in Eastern religious terms as a circle, but I'm sure that was unintentional. So as a ministry, I don't have anything negative to say about Souljak. But as an album, I can only give it...
1.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Nathan EisenEnter Souljak. A group with the intention of hijacking souls for Jesus. If you're a hardcore Third Day fan, it'll be well worth your while to give this CD a spin. The disc is like a sequel to anything that Third Day has ever done. However, I should quickly note right away that if Third Day qualifies as one of the "slower" bands that you listen to, this CD likely isn't for you. From track one to…
