JIM'S BIG EGO
They're Everywhere! (self-released)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Although offbeat subject matter wrapped in an easy to digest pop shell makes comparisons to They Might Be Giants or early Bare Naked Ladies fairly obvious, if a bit too easy, there's a lot more to Jim's Big Ego than that. First of all, there's Jim Infantino, the Boston-based trio's singer/guitarist/songwriter, whose lyrical talents fully justify his self-described "larger than average" ego. Then there's the business model, which is an object lesson for a good many indie acts.

Jim's Big Ego is one of those bands that has fully embraced the file-sharing culture, to the point of releasing this disc under a Creative Commons License, an alternative to traditional copyright that encourages sharing the music on a not for profit basis. The trade out for the band is exposure that has made them regulars on the northeast US club circuit and favorites on a campus circuit that has expanded to encompass dozens of college dates nationally.

Of course, all the sharing in the world isn't going to accomplish anything if the music being shared isn't good in the first place, and this is real good music. Smart, often funny, sometimes poignant music that's worth looking up on mp3.com, and equally worth buying, whether from the usual suspects or the band's own site at bigego.com. Don't take my word for it, though. It's easy to find and free to hear. Of course, if you order a copy of "They're Everywhere" you get the bonus of cover art by DC Comics legend Carmine Infantino (relationship to Jim undefined but probable) and the satisfaction of investing in the next release, which can't come too soon.

Track List:

They're Everywhere * Mix Tape * Math Prof Rock Star * Lucky * Party On The Everglades * Asshole * Better Than You * Love What's Gone * The Ballad Of Barry Allen * In A Bar * The Music Of You * Cut Off Your Head

© 2003 - Shaun Dale