Christopher Jak’s CD, Applause of the Rain, will soothe you and move you with wonderful songs and great production.
The world needs to be blasted with [Jak’s] creative lyrics, wonderfully soothing, soulful vocals, and excellent guitar work. What's surprising, is that a young singer/songwriter goes unnoticed during this current popularization of the art form. In a nutshell, Jak has created a similar sound to his more popular counterparts, while remaining independent and unique. This record is a testament to the hard work and dedication that it takes to be a young musician. He has the potential to have a long and fruitful career. Long after the singer/songwriter craze has faded, Christopher Jak will make his mark and last well into the next few decades. ThisIsModern.net.
Produced by Jeremy Lawton, Applause goes straight for the gut immediately on the swaying rocker, "Hold on Tight." "Squeeze" ventures into Jack Johnson territory, with a nod and a wink to the under appreciated power of populist songwriters such as James Taylor and Dave Matthews. Jak's vocals on "Squeeze" even tread the familiar Matthews territory, quietly building up to falsettos that belie the strength of the material. Prime fodder for commercial radio, "Angel Like Me" brilliantly illustrates the subtle ruminations rattling around inside this talented singer songwriter's head. Whether it's the trendy standard love song material of "Obsession" or the cool, introspective musings of "This Time," Jak elevates it all, carrying the material beyond the simple and ordinary into the landscape of the original and sublime. What can't be discounted about Applause of the Rain is it's fearless determination to swim against the mundane tide of bland neo folkies of the recent past. Instead, Christopher Jak's music and lyrics have embodied a new vision for that genre. And, Applause of the Rain may lead the way to a new appreciation of the well formulated marriage between expert sound production and energized singing, playing and writing. Bill Whiting, An Honest Tune.
It's a cup of hot cocoa. It's that well worn pair of slippers. It's the couch that you are never getting rid of because it knows the shape of you. It's comfort, and Christopher Jak's new disc is just another musical form of it, giving your tired ears a place to come home. Jak's songs have a salience to them; he is succinct with his lyrics and sparing in his musical quirks. The smoothness of his voice reminded me somewhat of John Mayer—soft, but anxious to get a point across. Philip McCluskey, Glidemagazine.com
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