It is absolutely breathtaking how an artist can distill a half-century of cultural disappointment into one swaggering anthem. That is precisely what Allan Jamisen has done with his “Rock & Roll American”, a song that is nostalgic in its frenzy and desperately modern in its sentiment, a reflection on what it is to be an American rebel when the idea of rebellion has been sold and packaged.
Even in the introductory minutes, the smooth vocals of Jamisen are able to command the listeners with a mixture of blues genuineness and rock assurance. His performance is that of a person who has seen the promises of a culture fail and ideals betrayed but is unwilling to give up all hope. The supporting harmonies give the song some extra soul that roots the song in emotional truth, and the production with Danny Saber gives the song a very smooth finish that does not compromise the raw honesty of the song.
The music is completely balanced between the past and the present. Twangy guitars are all about classic Americana with psychedelic touches pointing to the countercultural movements that were once promising change. It is so gracefully sad how the song climaxes into that anthemic statement and then simply evaporates into that mesmerizing fade-out, like observing the dreams of a person evaporate in real-time.
The most interesting thing about this song is that Jamisen does not give in to total cynicism. Yes, the song laments the loss of idealism but it also cheers the spirit of those who were not afraid to question normality. These grooves are haunted by the ghosts of Elvis, Morrison and Kerouac, and they remind us that rebellion is not only about renouncing the system, but also about preserving the vision of what we might be.
Stay connected with this amazing artist:
Discover our playlist :