Album Review - Half-Pint Jones

Half-Pint Jones, which was started in 2006, includes band members Jayson Sites (bass guitar, a
Chicago native who relocated to Southwestern Michigan), Justin Ross (guitar, also a Chicago native who relocated to Indiana), Steve Krojo (drums, of South Bend, Ind.), Mark Gamble (Trumpet, also from South Bend, Ind.) and Sam Que (saxophone, of Elkhart, Ind.). Christopher Olivier (saxophone), who started the band, was a former member.

They incorporate horn instruments such as trumpets and saxophones into their music which is not regularly heard in other songs from the latest generation. Half-Pint Jones' music, which they themselves write, is relaxing with simple lyrics. The music itself reminds you, at times, of bands from the '50s, '60s or '70s. In an interview in 2007, Joey Marburger wrote the band "tries to show their own personalities and musical diversity based on each member's past."

The band wanted to make an album that would include the feelings of their first two CDs, Trilogy of Patches and Olaf (2007) and Single File (2008), into their third one, Half-Pint Jones (2012). They also wanted to "present music in both short and long form." The album incorporates different types of music starting with a drone in the beginning of the first track, "I'll Arrive", before reaching the catchy chorus of the song. The album's tracks have smooth croons, blues and New Orleans funk. The last song, "Walk Away", is an acoustic finale that is delicate and "stripped back".

After recording their latest album, Olivier made an "easy" decision to leave Half-Pint Jones so that he could focus on his family. He left on good terms with the band. They then recruited Que to be the fifth member.

The band is preparing for the summer and Half-Pint Jones' self-titled album is now in stores and available online for download.