Jeff Kossack has the benefit of being a thriving force in the music scene for the past 30 years or so absorbing so much creativity and new idea’s that his newest album, Half Life, plays out with such finesse and know how that its almost impossible to find a track on the album that you would consider one of your least favorite. The album is a potpourri of styles intertwined in a consistent core of love songs that borders contemporary rock and pop without allowing itself to be defined to much. If you can truly appreciate music no doubt this album is going to be one that finds a permanent place in your collection.

Kossack states that this album was inspired by the love he has in his life, and not just the good times but the bad and hard to understand times, and lyrically Kossack handles this aspect of the album with flying colors, not to mention the ambiance of the albums concept thanks to the emotional rollercoaster of music on the album. The Other Hand, Kossack’s back up band consisting of old friends and even his own son, provides a backdrop of touching piano, soothing violin, brass accompaniment, and a combination of, well, a lot of other instruments. Without a doubt like their fearless leader these guys have been around and are well skilled at playing their various instruments. There’s also a humorous story to their name which you can read up on at Jeff’s website under the About Jeff tab. Anyway, enough telling you how wonderful I found this album and moving on to picking it apart.

The album begins with the opening title track, Half Life, which might have you believe the album is going the country route but its just a prime example of how diverse the album is. If this were the only song you would have the opportunity to listen to it really says its all about the album. The soothing background vocals, a complex collage of violin, guitars, banjo, bass and drums. The entire track just envelopes Kossack’s voice as he talks about being less then whole without his other half. Really just an amazing introduction. Up next is One More Day which is a pop rock track the likes of Jason Mraz or John Mayer. While this particular track isn’t as crowded as Half Life it really showcases Kossack’s writing and vocal delivery which is accompanied by a brief rap interlude by Terry “T. Smidi” Smith which reminded me instantly of The Gotee Brothers. Always Like The First Time is an orchestrated track that’s piano driven with some nice acoustic guitar which reminds me a bit of Jamie Cullum but Kossack’s voice is, especially over the chorus sounds more rock oriented and rougher putting this track somewhere between jazz pop and a rock ballad. Lyrically one of the most romantic on the album. The album suddenly explodes after that ballad track to Somebody New which has some rockabilly sounding guitars and Detroit horns placing this track somewhere in the memory The Blues Brothers. Absolutely an stadium anthem and just an infectious track. The stand out track on the album is The Garden of Jealousy which is also the most potent lyrically and musically. I’d probably compare this track to say, Tonic or Pearl Jam, but it definitely stands on its own two feet as a song that, once you listen to it, it will definitely make your desert island all time list. The album closes out with a reprise of the title track which is whittled down to bass, piano, and vocals.

A total of 12 tracks make up this album and as I stated earlier its really a complete album that has no throw outs and offers up a diverse taste of styles. Obviously metal heads and techno geeks wont rush out to grab this album, well most of them anyway, but if you get the opportunity to grab this album for yourself it’s a great investment that no doubt will get plenty of playtime in your stereo. As always final judgment is yours. Enjoy.

*Background Vocals On the Album: Jimmy Muffin, Terry "T. Smidi" Smith, John Stowers, James Hurley, Janeen Rae Heller, Jane Bolduc, Lisa Turner, Tim Furguson, Dean Thomas, Mike Bisch, Leo Valenzuela, Brent Labrada, Bobby Baker, Herb Larkin, Julie Pusch.