Like Janis Joplin or Billie Holiday, Johnny Whitney has a voice so unique you can recognize it immediately. Fans of his defunct post-hardcore band Blood Brothers know this, but for those just getting to know his characteristic screech, Jaguar Love's new album is a fine introduction.
Hologram Jams tumbles from hit to flop and back again but leaves you feeling satisfied, especially when the band cranks up the beats on "Cherry Soda." The song starts with a Baltimore-esque booty-bass jam, then explodes into a dancey number spiked with synth freakouts, "woot" noises and lyrics that are warped and hilarious ("Rode a motherfuckin' mastodon through my house"). "Everything Is Awesome" begins with bursts of percussive noise and plenty of computer-generated handclaps, worshipping M.I.A while setting the stage for Whitney's impassioned rally of hey-ohs. "Polaroids and Red Wine" makes you want to swig Carlo Rossi, curl up in your car and take a parking-lot catnap.
