"Overserved" opens with more of a power pop feel than a punk feel. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing - in fact, the record is fun, accessible and all around pretty good. I just hate to classify something as punk because the press release says to. "22 Jacks" are off to a pretty good start. Their first record, "Uncle Bob," turned a few heads, one of them belonging to Joey Ramone, who wound up on stage with the band at the end of that record's tour. In fact, Joey liked these guys so much he had them back him on the old Cheap Trick Favorite "I'll Be With You Tonight." With the release of this second effort, "22 Jacks" are positioned to make a move, and with M2 and 120 Minutes airing the video for "Quit," they just might make that move.

Tracks like "Passport" bounce along and kinda make you want to smile. The nice thing about this song is that it is so uncomplicated that you can't help but like it. Over all, "22 Jacks" remind me of The GoGos. Not that they sound like a bratty chic band or anything, but each song is simple, catchy and short. These kind of summer fun, shoot for a great hook type tunes have existed forever. I mean, hey, it works, right? I think the reason that it does work is that while the band is competent enough to write some catchy tunes to keep your interest, they are also smart enough not to venture into complicated waters, where their lack of skill could be revealed. Not everyone can be Sublime or Rancid, and for a band like "22 Jacks," that's okay. They reside quite comfortably where they are, in the land of simple cords and happy tunes.

There is a great cover of Clowns for Progress' "3 AM," which was recorded live. What's interesting, is that the live stuff sounds better than the studio stuff, which leads me to believe these guys could do with a better producer (but hey, it's punk rock right?). I wonder what Sting would think of the cover of "Message In A Bottle." Personally, I think "22 Jacks" take a kind of boring song and give it some life with this cover. Perhaps the most interesting cover (yes another cover) on this record is "Tracks Of My Tears," and the band pulls it off fairly well. Personally I would have preferred to hear a more original cover of the song, but even though they cover the song verbatim, you gotta respect any band who tries to cover Smokey Robinson.

"22 Jacks" show their real strength on "Quit," the record's single. The vocals on this song are so strong that it makes me wonder if they were held back on the rest of the record. "Quit" truly puts the spot light on the song writing ability of the band. Guitar melodies seem to intertwine with some real interesting pop bass work. Oddly the record flat lines again with the next song, "Confusion," which really comes off as generic and flat, and in some spots, off key.

Over all I see some real potential in "22 Jacks." "Overserved" is short, to the point, and in many places, a feel good record. Yet, at the same time, the band's immaturity, lack of skill, and overall greenness, shows through a bit too much. Perhaps some road miles on this years WARPED Tour will do them some good.