BEN JACKSON GROUP - All Over You

Posted: 9/5/05

Reviewed by: Lynn Phillips

Category: Hard Rock

Released: 2005

Label URL: www.screamingferret.com

Artist URL: www.benjacksongroup.com

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Let’s run through the old heavy metal checklist for All Over You shall we: 

• metal riffs and catchy choruses – check;

• band members dressed in leather – check;

• scantily clad female on cover entwined with phallic snake – check!  (She gets even more naked on the inside cover if you can believe it.) 

For those not in the know, guitarist Ben Jackson was formerly a member of Crimson Glory.  Whereas Crimson Glory was mostly progressive with a touch of metal, The Ben Jackson Group (BJG) is mainly metal with progressive influences.  This dichotomy serves the band well as they carve out their own niche and sound.  Ben’s unique guitar style is represented well here, only now great crunchy riffs and a more direct hard rock style accompany it.  Another unique aspect of BJG is that Ben is the lead singer.  Your preference of vocal styles will dictate your opinion on the vocal quality.  Ben’s voice is baritone in nature and lacks the range of Crimson Glory’s Midnight.  That’s not necessarily a knock though, as the songs are well suited to this style.  Besides, the high-pitched vocals have been done to death by all the power and progressive metal acts.  The remaining members of the band are more than capable musicians too.   The keyboards add a little diversity and hint at Crimson Glory on some songs. 

The Bloody Truth:  The diversity and unique quality of the songs on All Over You are its biggest strength.  The group obviously pays homage to Crimson Glory but makes the offering more melodic and heavy in the process.  The Ben Jackson Group has carved itself a niche here based on some solid musicianship and strong songs.