Jared McCloud - Vacancy (2024)

This collection gets off to a driving-pounding start. Vocally, there’s not much distinction but McCloud has a way of being captivating nonetheless with his style. His vocalization additions as depicted in “A Kind of Love That Will Tear You Apart,” have that pop attraction that gets feet moving on the dance floor & his lyrics are sophisticatedly penetrating enough to grab an ear. The driving drums have that same striking catch that the early 60s Dave Clark 5 songs “Glad All Over” & “Bits & Pieces” possessed.

But as I had mentioned earlier to veteran music ears the mode is not entirely original but, but…I hear the effort Jared is making to sculpt something far & away from the mainstream by painstakingly trying to satisfy the mainstream.

There are 11 fully occupied numbers on Vacancy produced by Kevin Bowe (bass/guitars/percussion/melodica/bgv) & Jared McCloud in Minneapolis. Jared’s maturity is evident in each song. This is not a toss-off artist, there’s determination & accomplishment. Each tune has catchy melodies & fortunately, the lyrics don’t dip too deeply into cliché.

“To See Tomorrow” is a full-steam-ahead rocker. It’s quite good, but the momentum begins to wane after this. Nonetheless, Mr. McCloud knows how to rock & compose appetizing songs – Jared’s worth keeping an eye on & an ear.

A big winner comes with “Oneirophobia,” (fear of dreams) with its Tony Carey Planet P (“Pink World”) type progressive rock cum pop attack. The guitar certainly shines in its metamorphosis & Jared’s vocals are on the mark throughout. More of a troubadour tune with rock ingredients is “Mama” & here Jared shows some teeth. It’s a lovely song but he dresses it in aggressive musical touches. It’s one of Jared’s best performances & it’s entertaining. Far better than most by today’s standards & at the end, he glosses it in a Roger Daltrey final note. Excellent tune.

“Tramp Like Me,” cruises along with a pop melody but with rich vocal syrup that coats the tune with a sweet showcase & retains the necessary kick with its arrangement. Smart & has a cranking guitar solo that cuts through when it must & then lays back quietly with finesse.