Review by Rob Broom for MPM
Ian Kaine MacGregor will be known to many as the lead vocal and guitarist with the mighty ‘American Jetset’, a band who in 2024 released the album ‘1987’, a titanic slice of classic 1980s Sunset Strip rock that was without doubt my album of the year.
Jump forward a few months and after multiple Jetset live gigs supporting the album, Ian announced a new side solo project – ‘Ian Kaine MacGregor and the Trouble Dolls’, along with a new EP for May 2025 – and before Christmas is barely over, the first fruits of that labour – a new single ‘The Story Of My Life’ is released. Phew, he is a busy man!
The words to ‘The Story Of My Life’ might be personal, telling part of Ian Kaine MacGregors musical journey, yet extracts will resonate with many of us as the song unfolds. The chorus is catchy with a great hook and Ians distinctive vocal delivery gives grit, character and depth to the lyrics (if you want to hear more, go check out American Jetset’s ‘Long Road To Nowhere’ – epic!).
Musically the song is less ‘full on American Jetset’ and more ‘Counting Crows meets Bob Seger’ and is full of swagger and emotion. The band play with passion and integrity, it all feels very ‘real’ and genuine.
To my ears this is a tremendous solo debut as I do like a song with purpose and ‘The Story Of My Life’ contains plenty of that timeless American storytelling.
If the rest of the forthcoming E.P ‘Den Of Thieves’ matches (or exceeds!) this, then we will have a potential classic on our hands – can’t wait to hear more!
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4hCZPWu
Apple Music: https://apple.co/42zaixS
BandCamp: https://bit.ly/4gkEBeU
Vimeo: https://bit.ly/40G3ewW
