Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Real Life Stories

Jimbo Rocko
Real Life Stories

Street Date: June 19, 2012
Style: Pop Rock
Artist Website: JimboRocko.com
Buy It: AmazonMP3

Pop musician James Larrick, aka Jimbo Rocko, released a five-song EP in 2010 called Future Sounds. His signature style was urban, auto-tune laced party pop music, which, if nothing else, sounds fun, but the EP as a whole was underwhelming. Two years later, Jimbo Rocko is back with five more songs that have a different musical focus for his new EP Real Life Stories. The sound shift is rather interesting; while Future Sounds tried very hard to make Christian-themed club music, Real Life Stories makes the attempt at producing radio-friendly pop rock. "Alive" is the one exception, using electronics (including synthesizers and synthetic drums) for the music, but the rest features the traditional pop rock instrumentation. The opener, "Retro," is actually borderline Jason Mraz-material with its pop-reggae feel. It's a rough opener, as the lyrics are super cheesy ("Everything is gonna be alright, let's sing about love and marshmallow clouds, forget about our problems and escape from the crowd, don't wanna think about work, I might just take a nap, not a care in the world, I got my chair leaned back"), and Jimbo's vocals are out of tune (even with the noticeable misuse of auto-tune) and don't match the music very well. He's joined by a vocalist who goes by Lazzara, who provides a rap at the end that suggests that he's not really a rapper. "More Than Enough" is a ballad that turns out a lot better than the previous song. It's pretty generic positive-message pop rock balladry that could've been written by a number of radio bands, and his voice still lacks here, but it's hopeful in that it sounds like Jimbo may have found his sound. Of his two EPs, this is the best song he's released yet. Jimbo Rocko's Real Life Stories is a definite improvement upon Future Sounds, but it's still very lacking in overall quality. The biggest recommendation I would give Jimbo is to work on the vocals. Check out Real Life Stories if you feel so inclined, and if you do, go with "More Than Enough" and the closer "Hold You."

- Review date: 7/9/12, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

  1. Retro (feat. Lazzara) (3:03)
  2. More Than Enough (4:00)
  3. Hello (3:46)
  4. Alive (4:13)
  5. Hold You (4:02)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 


 



  • Jesus freak Hideout (Scott Fryberger): How did you come up with the name Jimbo Rocko?

    Jimbo Rocko: This nickname goes back to 2005 when I was the drummer for a touring Christian Punk/Rock band, Right Lane. People used to tell me I took drum lessons from Animal (The Muppets). So you can imagine, I am pretty animated when on stage. Anyways, we had a show somewhere in Kentucky with Family Force 5 at the Winter Jam After Party, and a girl came up to me after the concert wanting a high-five and continued to say "Yo!! Jimbo!! You Rock-ooo!" and my band mates were like "Heyyyy!!! It's Jimbo Rocko!" and basically, the name just stuck! haha

  • JFH (Scott): Did you ever contemplate going by your real name?

    Jimbo Rocko: To be honest, no lol. Most people can't pronounce my real last name correctly anyways. Plus, I feel "Jimbo Rocko" just rolls off the tongue well. And it's catchy (if you ask me).

  • JFH (Scott): Real Life Stories is very different stylistically than Future Sounds. Why the transition in sound?

    Jimbo Rocko: The original goal for when I decided to make music on my own was to combine all of the music styles that I love into one big mix of genres. With Future Sounds, I had just stepped away from being a producer and emcee for a Christian Rap band, Unforsaken, and so the Club/Hip-Hop style was something I was familiar with at the time. With Real Life Stories, I didn't force any particular style upon the songs; I just let them become themselves. Not to mention, most of the songs off Real Life Stories were written using a guitar or piano, while Future Sounds was written using synthesizers and beat machines.

  • JFH (Scott): Given the EP's title, are all the tracks here real life stories?

    Jimbo Rocko: Yes. There is a real life and personal story behind each song, in exception to maybe "Retro" which is just a fun-summertime-loving song. I wrote that in the winter thinking about how much I miss the summer breeze, BBQs, and hanging out with friends.

  • JFH (Scott): "More Than Enough" felt like the strongest track; can you tell the story behind that one?

    Jimbo Rocko: This song is actually a conversation between God and myself, written from His point of view. See, back in August of 2011, my relationship with my daughter's mom had just crumbled. I was on the verge of losing my job. I didn't feel very much like a Christian. I have a kid out of wedlock. I knew people were looking up to me and I felt like I let them and myself down. There was just so much heart break, confusion and depression during that time of my life. I remember one night, sitting in my living room and I thought "if it weren't for my daughter here right now, I wouldn't care what happens to me. I could die right now, and I would not care." But it was in that moment that God came to me, probably more so than any other time in my life. He came to me and said "Why are you thinking this way? Do you think that this is all just an accident? There is a reason why you are here. There is a reason why you are going through all of this right now. I love you. I never want to hurt you. But sometimes you must experience pain in order to become stronger. I have great plans for you and your time is coming that I will use you for all I have created you for." That was the single, most powerful moment in my life. After wiping away my tears, I picked up my guitar and penned the entire song that night; it was beautiful.

  • JFH (Scott): Where did you find the guest vocalist in "Retro," Lazzara?

    Jimbo Rocko: Lazzara is actually a good friend of mine. I helped me write a few songs for my previous record, Future Sounds. Back then, he went by the name "Jaylee." He's a very deep dude, very close to God and his music reflects that! I believe his style is more geared towards the non-believer crowd. He's doing big things, man! I don't know what else to say. LOL Check him out on iTunes if you get the chance. His album, Rhyme With Reason, released the same day as my record, Real Life Stories.

  • JFH (Scott): Did you write and perform all of the music on this EP?

    Jimbo Rocko: Yes.. well, mostly yes. I did have some outside help on a few songs. My friend Ben Crespo of L.E.D. (Light Ends Darkness) helped me write parts of "Alive." I had a hand from David Meadows (Get In The Ark) with lyrics and guitar on "Hold You." Lazzara pitched in on "Retro" with me, and Mel Burns (Remembering Venice) performed some backing vocals on "Hello" as well as "Hold You."

  • JFH (Scott): What has God been teaching you lately?

    Jimbo Rocko: Faith!! I know it sounds simple, and it's probably one of the most taught doctrines within the church, but it is still a daily struggle. I'm learning that if we speak positive, uplifting and encouraging words into our own lives and the lives of others that we are actually speaking things into existence. Learning to say things like "I can" and "I will" are MUCH more powerful than "I hope" or "I'll try." Learning to rely fully on God can be hard. Some people will argue and say "let's be realistic" but truth is, when is God ever realistic? Ever? It wasn't very realistic for Peter to walk on water. It wasn't realistic for Samson to fight and kill a lion. Who does that? That is just crazy! But I know they did this because of their blind faith in the Lord. That's the type of faith I am striving for. Once we have that kind of faith, who can stop us?

     

     

    go to main Indie review page
    go to Indie Review Index

     

  •                  
    Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

    Search JFH



    This Friday, July 25, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
    B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
    Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
    Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
    Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
    KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
    Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
    Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
    Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
    Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
    Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
    Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
    Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

    SINGLES
    abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
    Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
    Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
    Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
    Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
    The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
    C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
    CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
    EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
    Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
    Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
    Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
    J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
    Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
    Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
    Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
    TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
    Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
    Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
    QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
    Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
    Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
    Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
    Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
    Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
    Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
    John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
    Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
    Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
    Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
    Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

    VINYL
    Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

    DVD
    Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

    This Saturday, July 26, 2025
    SINGLES
    Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

    Next Friday, August 1, 2025
    ALBUMS
    Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
    McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
    Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
    V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

    SINGLES
    Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
    Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
    Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

    VINYL
    Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



    For all release dates, click here!
     

    Join honey and save on online purchases!
    Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
    Check out depositphotos for royalty free images