J.A.C.K.

Personnel: Caleb Turman (vocals, guitar); Austin Bello (vocals); Kyle Burns (drums).
Recording information: Wavelight Studios.
Illustrator: Kyle Burns.
Forever the Sickest Kids' trademark brand of breathless and light emo pop comes through loud and clear on their 2013 album J.A.C.K. Along with a few highlights -- "Chin Up Kid" has a standard uplifting chorus and well-manicured sound -- there are some nice metallic interludes, and they cheekily drop in some snappy 8-bit sounds: "Keep Calm and Don't Let Me Go" somehow manages to work hair metal, ridiculous guitar solos, and dubstep into a frothy mix that sounds like a bunch of other stuff, but which is better than most of it. The album delivers a sugary rush from start to finish. Other high points along the way are the glam rock stomp of "Count on Me (For Nothing)" and the early Bon Jovi stadium rock choruses of "Nikki." ~ Tim Sendra