Jason Yudoff: Tragic Hero

The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
June 1, 2008

Artist: Jason Yudoff
Album: Tragic Hero
Label: Scratched Vinyl

Rating:

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Let’s set the record straight. I’m not a huge fan of pop rock. You know, the guy “trying” to be rock and roll, but perfectly groomed and surrounded by supermodels. That’s just not the image nor the musical style I gravitate toward. That being said, I approached Jason Yudoff’s new album, Tragic Hero with upmost objectivity. It’s an easy album for a guy like to to write off after the first listen, but if you’re someone who likes things a little more “mainstream” sounding, Tragic Hero is a better choice than most of your choices. At least he doesn’t sound like Nickelback.

Jason Yudoff draws from influences such as funk, jazz and pop. His piano driven, sugar soaked pop songs have more meat on them than most of what I’ve heard from the genre. Lyrically, the album’s themes are the generic love songs you hear on radio or TV today. Nothing too deep, but relationships are something we all can connect with. This isn’t an album trying to be provocative or deep in any way. It’s goal is to reach the broadest audience possible, and I think it succeeds on that level.

There is an honesty to Jason’s songwriting that I see translating well to a live show. Each song has a piano driven backbone, and prove to be songs that can be stripped down and performed. Also, the Funk/Jazz element needs to be addressed. I think it’s the element that works the best and brings a freshness to each song. There is an underlying groove to some the up-tempo songs that can get your head bobbing no matter how cynical of a listener you may be.

Ultimately, Tragic Hero is a mixed bag. There are elements that were surprisingly good (the piano and funk elements), but there are also many cheesy cringe-inducing elements (some of the lyrics are unintentionally hysterical, check out Side By Side). Jason Yudoff is an artist worth checking out if your into the genre categories he fits in, but as a whole, Tragic Hero is a semi-solid effort with nothing really new or compelling being offered up.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Good Enough”

“Get Up”

“You Should Be My Girl”