Does everybody remember Toby Rand?  Not only was he the first interview that we ever got for this website but he was also a main contender on the reality TV show ‘Rockstar Supernova’  it was there that we first got to hear the song ‘Throw it away’ and in the 2 years we waited for Juke Kartels debut album, that song was still stuck in my head.  What I love is that Juke Kartel have kept this song and it truly is a stand out on their debut album ‘Nowhere Left to Hide.’

The album kicks off with the riff laden ‘Save Me’ and is that just the case?  Is Juke Kartel here to save music?  With this album, I can say yeah, I think this is a very good start!  The song itself has a great hook and big chorus and is the perfect choice for the opener.  ‘Throw it away’ is track 2 as mentioned above you’ll be walking around singing ‘Whoa oh oh oh oh oh’ forever. 

Track 3 is where the album really takes off.  ‘December’ is by far the best track on the album, a very catchy chorus and just a groove that warranted the single release.  It is a shame that this won’t get the play it deserves as it truly is better than anything topping the charts at the moment.

As the album progresses what I found was they have structured it so well that there is a killer track every few songs.  Songs like ‘My Baby’ coming in with a big chorus and a rockier groove, ‘The Closer we get’ with its very Matchbox 20 feel and the big ballad ‘Then she said’ give the album tracks that are memorable.  Others tracks are a little same same, don’t get me wrong they’re still great songs, but lack the punch of the 6 stand outs of these 12 songs on ‘Nowhere Left to Hide.’

Overall in my opinion this is a great album, its just not an amazing album, I can imagine these new tracks would shine hearing them live and when Juke Kartel hit your town, mine included, make sure you drop by and see a band with a lot of potential and I really look forward to the future with this great Australian band.  Maybe they will eventually save us…I give ‘Nowhere Left To Hide’ 22 out of 26

*Reviewed by: Troy Milfton*