Big Fat Jam successfully ignore every current trend in music -- they are not nu-metal, they avoid the whole rap/rock thing, they don't do prefab r&b tunes, and they certainly are not a boy band. So why would anyone buy Welcome to Wonderland?
Because it flat out ROCKS. Big Fat Jam combines the best of southern rock mixed with Faith No More-style funk rock to produce the best debut album I've heard for a while. I'm not normally a big backer of Dez Dickerson's production, but he hits this one out of the park.
"Everything" is the single, and features a bass line that reminds me of Red Hot Chili Peppers or Sly & the Family Stone. "What Can I Do?" is a throwback that could be disguised as a 70's classic rock song, sounding like a Black Crowes/Three Dog Night combination. "Hold Your Head Up" is much in the same vein, as is "Searchin'," which can be compared to Will Hoge.
The influence of Faith No More is obvious in other areas -- the album photos of vocalist Lance Dalbey show him dressed much like FNM singer Mike Patton. The vocals and bass lines in songs such as "Brand New Day" make this evident as well.
"All in the Family", though, takes it one step further. This anti-racism song is funkier than the rest, combining a Jimi Hendrix guitar style by Pete Hosmer with a Living Colour type rhythm section. "Thank You" has a Stevie Wonder sound to it, but could also be a Fishbone cover.
"Red White and Blue" is the band's response to 9/11, and "It Was You" serves as the power ballad.
Big Fat Jam is a band much like Podunk -- both embrace southern rock, while employing an updated, crunchier tone than their 70's roots. If you want an album with Christian themes that doesn't sound like the run of the mill radio friendly CCM, Welcome to Wonderland is for you. It proves that rock 'n' roll isn't dead -- it still comes out of hiding every once in a while.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #99Reviewed by Melba JacksonThis album takes me back to a happier time. Back when my last husband was alive (rest his soul), I knew what it meant to be loved. You see, I'm not an attractive woman. But when my Maynard would wrap those arms around my waist I would quiver and shake like the world couldn't hold me up — just like the woman in Proverbs 30:23. We lived in Jacksonville, Florida and we had the most wonderful…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Matthew WilliamsWhen you name your band "Big Fat Jam," at least two things are expected of you: a sound that A. is out of the ordinary and B. makes up for/lives up to your name. Fortunately for Big Fat Jam, Welcome to Wonderland has a big sound, an enthusiastic delivery and more jams than aisle nine of your local supermarket. Musically, the four-piece, southern rock band (ironically from Minnesota) reminds one…
