17. January 2026
Home » Music & Media » Media Review » Jack McBannon – Alaska
Media Review

Jack McBannon – Alaska

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Jack McBannon - Alaska

Jack McBannon - Alaska
4.3

Rating

 4.3/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Very good storytelling
  • Strong atmosphere

The album Alaska is already the third one I feature from German artist Jack McBannon. In 2021, I reviewed his True Stories and had a listen into Tennessee three years later. Here is my review of his 12th December 2025 release.

Jack McBannon – About The Artists

Jack McBannon is the alter ego of Thorsten Wiler. He is a German musician, who is originally from Haan in the Rheinland region. Jack’s music is typically a mixture of blues and country. His original artist name was Wiler, under which he released five albums, before True Stories was his first Jack McBannon one. Wiler was also singer of an alternative grunge band from Cologne. Alaska is his third Jack McBannon album.

 

Jack McBannon – Alaska – Track by Track

The twelve track album lasts 41 minutes.

1. Stampede

At first, Jack McBannon takes you to the Stampede. The title suggests country tunes to me – the 72 second intro is just giving a bit of atmosphere, though.

2. What if

In fact, Alaska feels to really kick off with What if. The album title, by the way, reminds of the road trip McBannon took. He wrote the songs in rural Alaska. What if feels being in line with it. It’s a very reflecting, intimate song and almost has a meditative touch.

3. Hold on

The almost four minute track Hold on starts slowly and quiet. However, McBannon adds some very energetic, angry moments to the song, which leads to a nice dramatic plot. A really nice track, which comes with a touch of Americana rock.

4. Cold Rain

There is a brief, more intense moment in Cold Rain. However, overall the song is a beautiful fragile listen, which again underlines the very personal and reflecting style.

5. Reaching out

And I am on my wings to you – love and other emotions are a major part of this musical road trip to the very North. The fifth track is one of these songs which simply suck you in with its story. A clapping background rhythm and the characteristic voice of the German artist are additional catching elements.

6. Home

Home is a lovely blues rock ballad. The raspy voice of Jack McBannon feels very melancholic and touching on this song, which also closes the first half of the Alaska album. These four minutes are one of the key highlights of the album.

7. One by one

While the first half of Alaska solely consists of new songs, there are some previously released ones in the second one. One of them is One by one, the seventh track of the record. This song reminds me of some Americana rock anthems by Bruce Springsteen. Jack McBannon’s voice has a great energy in this one.

8. Not alone

Another feature single release of the Alaska album is Not alone. The feeling of being alone is definitely one you would expect when you travel the Alaska countryside. However, the German artist states I’m not alone and puts that into a beautiful personal ballad. Great one!

9. Over and over

Over and over is another rather slow, hymnic song with a beautiful intensity. Again, Jack McBannon impresses with lovely storytelling, an intimate atmosphere. Finally, there is the signature element of his music, the vocals. This all works together and leads to a really nice song.

10. Memories

Some times made of memories – that already feels like a song many people can relate to. Jack McBannon shows a very dramatic song, which always rather stays on the quiet side. You simply enjoy listening to him.

11. Let it go

Not too many songs on the Alaska album have a stronger blues vibe as well. This one, Let It Go, is a nice mixture of blues, country and pop elements. By that, it has an interesting leverage between melancholy and reflection as well as ease and fun. I love it.

12. Thank you

The closing song Thank You is one of the three songs shared before album release. The song is a personal farewell, a thankful note. It feels to close the stories of this album in a beautiful manner.

 

Jack McBannon – Alaska – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Jack McBannon – Alaska – My View

Tennnessee has been an outstanding album. I would not rate Alaska that high as well. Maybe the it also the setting and scenery in the very North of America, which is a bit more monotonous and less thrilling. However, Jack McBannon kept its two biggest assets – his characteristic voice and the lovely ability to tell stories. They are the key factors for another good release.

Favorite Song: Home

 

Rheinland Region in 2025

All around Cologne marks my German Rheinland postings. Here are all of them released in 2025:

 

The Best Lounge Reviews

Here are all my lounge reviews, having a rating better than 4.0, in descending order of the rating:

You might also like

Miranda Lambert – Wildcard

Gutrectomy – Manifestation Of Human Suffering

Lugnet – Tales From The Great Beyond

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *