Press & Reviews

Woodbridge, VA
November 12, 1998
Block is one-man musical show

"Timing Is Everything," the major label debut from alterna-folk rocker Jaime Block, is chock full of jammy, radio-friendly tunes and a handful of bittersweet ballads.

A native New Yorker, Block relocated to Chapel Hill to study English, until he found himself wrapped by the always promising local music scene, which has given rise to bands like Ben Folds Five, Polvo and indie faves Superchunk.

From the fun-loving "3rd Mall from the Sun," to the pretty, acoustic-driven "Queen of 5th Street," Block covers many musical styles on "Timing Is Everything," using string instruments ("I- 95"), electronica ("The Pink House Must Burn") and lounge (Catch a Falling Star"). He also has a vocal delivery that can be likened to Beck, Lou Reed and the Soup Dragons.

Block concentrates more on his lyrical abilities on "I-95," a tender goodbye ballad, while other songs such as the Beck-esque "Catch a Falling Star" and the witty party tune, "I Used to Manage PM Dawn," show us more of his musical playfulness. He tackles the issue of drug use on the melodic "Cigarettes, Prozac & Scotch," where he sings lines such as "it’s a happy combination" and "don’t knock it, until you try it." Although a negative song, it’s nevertheless entertaining to listen to for the beat.

A one-man show, Block provides more than enough musical entertainment, with a fun sound that transcends styles.

Gail Choochan
Potomac News