Mike Shannon & Big Bus Dream Deliver a Rousing Account on the Struggles of Addiction in “Jones is in the House”
Mike Shannon & Big Bus Dream - My Dream My Fantasy
0
0
Music has an uncanny ability to convey life’s most ardent crises and package them into the form of a harmonically appealing song and composition. Mike Shannon & Big Bus Dream accomplish this feat tenfold with a song of theirs titled “Jones is in the House”, a gripping track off of their 2017 album, My Dream My Fantasy.
“Jones is in the House” is a soul-stirring song which touches on the struggles of drug addiction, particularly, as it relates to the opioid epidemic which has afflicted many areas in the United States for almost the last decade. Running rampant with no clear solution in sight and destroying communities nationwide, Shannon and Big Bus Dream liken the drug crisis to that of “a runaway train” that can’t be stopped.
Driven by an impassioned, demonstrative vocal performance by Shannon and a plush guitar section accentuated with a churning, slightly distorted riff, “Jones is in the House” is a frenetic ball of energy that represents the song’s concept and symbolism perfectly; a classic rock cinematic presentation of sorts
The lively soundscape consists of a variety of unpredictable transitions and dramatic buildups which partner with the clever lyricism to paint a metaphorical picture of the volatility that a drug addict experiences physically and mentally. As referenced above, “Jones is in the House” is a songwriting masterpiece with its lyrical symbolism which can be interpreted in a variety of ways but all centered around the same theme. For example, take the lines below which stood out to me….
Lucy’s by the back door
She’s stubborn today
Lucy’s by the back door
Not going away
Excerpt from “Jones is in the House”: Mike Shannon and Big Bus Dream
In my mind, Lucy represents the persistent temptation that an addict experiences; a never ending “jones” or craving to indulge in that substance…. always on the mind. However, Lucy can also represent someone physically who is either stopping by with said drugs or trying to entice the person to go out and seek the drug together.
“Jones in the House” is a seminal track which will have you listening on repeat as you indulge in the profound lyricism and roof-raising music. You can listen to “Jones in the House” via the YouTube embed below.
In addition, scroll further below to connect with or keep up with the music endeavors of Mike Shannon and Big Bus Dream via their website and social media platforms below.
Listen to “Jones is in the House” on YouTube
A struggle with drug addiction…nothing short of a runaway train
(null)
Connect with Mike Shannon and Big Bus Dream
- https://www.bigbusdream.com
- https://www.facebook.com/4thwardrecords band site
- https://www.twitter.com/bigbusdream
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9zZdnTNQzFNk5NMFArD1cw
- https://www.instagram.com/bigbusdream/
About Mike Shannon and Big Bus Dream
“Big Bus Dream blends roots rock with electrified arrangements. A literate brand of individual style and commentary along the lines of John Lennon and Mark Oliver Everett (of The Eels). These are old-fashioned protest songs at heart with a patina of new-coffeehouse folk (The Gourds) … and they deliver their messages.”– David Cowling, Americana UK
Giant In My Mind, follows two years of much self-reflection. Big Bus Dream’s Mike Shannon adds: “The record is about jumping, or just crashing through, hurdles over the years – lots of hurdles.” This struggle is felt in the new music. “So many stand-out lyrics crop up throughout the project, and thanks to beautiful melodies and natural, peaceful arrangements, these connect on a profound level.” – Stereo Stickman
The 2021 release is available now, everywhere.
Mike Shannon’s journey has always been about climbing the steps up the Big Bus. Big Bus Dream, like 4th Ward before, has always been about the distinctiveness of the song, the hook, the colors. “The sound is original without being trendy”, writes Creative Loafing.
4thward’s 2000 self-titled release debuted #20 on the National CMJ Top 200 charts. Celebrity Cafe awarded the release, “Album of the day!”. The group spent 4 years playing the circuit opening for the likes of Angie Aparo, Hootie and The Blowfish before regrouping as Big Bus Dream.
Big Bus Dream’s 2006 self-titled debut earned Editor’s Pick by CD Baby and 8 of 10 stars by Americana UK, as well as topping the main European music site charts. Several tracks found their way onto MTV’s Pimp My Ride, Breaking Amish, as well as film (MY life as Abraham Lincoln) and TV (WBTV documentaries). The Jesters of Xmas Town (2008) continued the band’s songwriting and recording success:
Absolute Power Pop wrote, “This is one bus you’ll want to catch.”
Additional recordings: 2017 My Dream My Fantasy, 2021 Giant in My Mind “This may be Big Bus Dream’s best work yet” Jamsphere Music Magazine
Kevin James has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry in various facets. He has worked as a recording artist, songwriter, producer, on-air radio personality, background actor and film director. Kevin is a Member of the National Writer's Union.