Jamaica’s No Problem

80s hair rock hits Paris three decades later... (Photo courtesy of myspace.com/ithinkilikejamaica)

As a musical entity, Jamaica doesn’t make for easy categorization. For one, they have nothing to do with the Caribbean nation. There’s nothing remotely reggae, dancehall or ska about them. In fact, they’re French, which can lead to even more confusion.

While you’d expect a Parisian duo to plug in their laptops and bust out the synths to follow in the mold of Daft Punk and Justice, Ed Banger’s Jamaica has traded in the turntables for a pair of of electric guitars and a knack to shred. Formerly known as Poney Poney, the pair of Antoine Hilaire and Flo Lyonnet have capitalized on our pure fascination with the culmination of musical libido: the electric guitar solo.

Jamaica lacks much of the electronic gadgetry of their French brethren, leaving little opportunity for synth contributions between the layered 80s guitar riffs and poppy lyrics. In fact the band went into the studio with the promise that they’d leave synths at the door. The duo’s debut album, No Problem, is a high-energy deviation from the supposed French expectations for electronic, taking our 21st century computer-infatuated asses and reminding us of a decade when neon spandex, hair and finger-tapping were king.

Backed by a production team of Xavier de Rosnay of Justice and Peter Franco, Jamaica would be the logical result if someone asked The Teenagers to remake “Runnin’ With the Devil.” “Cross the Fader” sets the tone with a flirtatious opening bar before the pair break into their rhythmic–and heavily accented–lyrics. And that’s basically what the album amounts to. Charged chords, deft production and English lyrics that trade in s’s for z’s. Ezzzz zoooo gooooodz.

The pair’s first single, “I Think I Like U 2,” produced by de Rosnay, is propelled by a romping bass line, while “Secrets” continues with the groups best Van Halen impressions. Personal favorite “Jericho” starts off deceptively slow, kicking into high gear with swag that would befit any adolescent boy shredding his air guitar while singing into his bathroom mirror: “I know what it takes to get what you want. It’s called a miracle. It’s called a miracle.”

Taking a brief interlude for the disinteresting charmer, “Gentlemen,” the album picks up its unrelenting pace with “By the Numbers” and “Junior,” which sings of the joys of the “sparkling ballrooms of Paris.” Way to rub it in guys.

And just as you’re about to find your footing amid the gritty guitars, you’re hit by final track “When Do You Wanna Stop Working,” which screams for claps and dance with an infectious chorus line. With Jamaica it’s nonstop action seemingly encapsulated by the final lyric on the album: “When do you wanna stop working? I don’t know.”

Jamaica- Cross the Fader (download)

Jamaica- Jericho (download)

Jamaica- When Do You Wanna Stop Working (download)