Jesu
Jesu
Hydra Head (2005)
A year ago, Jesu was only a blip on the radar for most of the music world. And then, as if out of nowhere, Justin Broadrick emerged from the swirling rumors in the darkness with his latest project in the form of Heart Ache, a forty minute EP comprised of only two tracks. While the acclaim was limited at first, … Read more
Jesu
Lifeline
Hydra Head/Daymare (2007)
As unbelievable as it may sound Lifeline is Jesu's fifth (and possibly the sixth if Robotic Empire gets the split with Battle of Mice out before the end of 2007) release of the year and comes right on the heals of the Pale Sketches record. With all of this activity and music released in one year, I have two thoughts: … Read more
Jesu
Opiate Sun
Calo Verde (2009)
Now, here we are. Opiate Sun is yet another EP by Jesu, which seems to be a recurring theme lately with this outfit of Justin Broadrick's (in addition of course to oft times contributors Diarmud Dalton and now Phil Petrocelli). A pre-release teaser song, "Deflated" (with its awfully catchy gloom), was offered to the sometimes insatiable and growing Jesu fan … Read more
Jesu
Pale Sketches
Avalanche Inc. (2007)
Pale Sketches is the second full-length that Jesu has released this year, and it marks an important step for Justin Broadrick. Broadrick started recording new material following the demise of his long running group Godflesh that would become Jesu. Over time he amassed quite a bit of songs and other musical pieces. Earlier this year, he decided to release the … Read more
Jesu
Silver
Hydra Head (2006)
The truth needs to be said. The self-titled Jesu record was an almost masterpiece that topped many critics' and fans' top records lists last year (and was the #1 album of the year here at Scene Point Blank). So, Justin Broadrick (known for being the mastermind behind Godflesh and also for his part in early Napalm Death) and company have … Read more
Jesu
Sundown/Sunrise
Aurora Borealis (2007)
Justin Broadrick and company has been extremely busy. Sundown/ Sunrise is a two-song 12" EP that Aurora Borealis is releasing. These songs are also available on the Japanese import version of the latest Jesu album, Conqueror. The tracks are not remixes of songs on the album, but rather they are entities to and of themselves. With a combined running time … Read more
Jesu / Eluvium
Split
Temporary Residence/Hydra Head (2007)
Arriving home at approximately 5:30 PM EST, I walk up to my door to see the familiar Temporary Residence logo on the front of an LP vinyl mailer; the initial excitement that washes over me is dwarfed solely by my need to call a friend to exclaim my surprise and, quite possibly, gloat that I will be hearing the Jesu … Read more
Jesuit
Discography
Magic Bullet (2011)
Jesuit is the kind of band that your older brother (I would say sister, but women should hate this band now just like they did back then… for more information get a physical copy of this and read the ridiculously humorous liner notes) shows you when he catches you listening to some terrible pop or even the latest trend of … Read more
Jet Black
Escape Measures
Self Released (2011)
There has been a resurgence over the past few years of Shoegaze style rock. While many of the more known bands of this style tend to mix it with other genres at this point (Alcest mixing black metal or Ringo Deathstar with some electronic music). Needless to say most bands take what is useful to them from the genre and … Read more
Jet Lag Gemini
Fire the Cannons
Doghouse (2008)
Doghouse Records used to be one of my favorite labels. Their early roster included Endpoint, Falling Forward, Split Lip, etc. who in the 90's defined the vastly underrated Louisville/Midwest hardcore sound. It was emotive but heavy, melodic but hard; the sound was just everything great about the middle part of the country that happened in the last decade. Owner Dirk … Read more
Jiffy Marx
She’s My Witch / Warning Sign
Snappy Little Numbers (2020)
Jiffy Marx' She’s My Witch / Warning Sign 7″ does not only look like a 45er from the late seventies, but sonically delivers exactly that, i.e. two snappy lil’ pop punk numbers with the band firing on all cylinders. A snappy, fun 7” recorded in a bit more than a day, and sonically an homage and celebration the jangly pop … Read more
Jim and the French Vanilla
Afraid of the House
Dirtnap (2017)
Jim and the French Vanilla is the solo moniker for Jim Blaha, guitarist in The Blind Shake, a band with have several of their own releases, as well as collaborations with notables like Michael Yonkers and John Reis. This is his third “French Vanilla” release, but the first with true distribution and also the first to feature a full band.There … Read more
Jim Ruland
Do What You Want - Bad Religion
Hachette Publishing (2020)
Bad Religion recently rode an extensive virtual bonanza, where they celebrated their fortieth anniversary with a series called “Decades”. i.e. four episodes where the band played songs live from each decade since the 1980s streamed from The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles and accompanied by interviews. Watching the first two episodes reminded me of how much Bad Religion coined my … Read more
Jimi Goodwin
Odludek
Heavenly Recordings (2014)
After a career spanning more than ten years and 4 critically acclaimed albums as the frontman of Manchester 3-piece Doves, Jimi Goodwin has been waiting quite a while before indulging in his first solo release. Taking direction from mix tapes that used to circulate between Goodwin and his friends, Odludek is a fiery and unpredictable album that embraces the eclectic … Read more
Jimmy Cliff
Rebirth
Universal (2012)
It’s always curious to see a veteran musician team up with their junior. Last year Jimmy Cliff joined with producer Tim Armstrong (Rancid) for the Sacred Fire EP, a pairing that sparked Cliff’s creativity and lead to this follow-up full-length. While it’s easy to note Armstrong’s presence on Rebirth (the album features a reappearance of the EP’s “Ruby Soho” cover), … Read more
Jimmy Cliff
Sacred Fire EP
Collective Sounds (2011)
Jimmy Cliff sounds pretty spry for a 63 year-old. The reggae legend is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (whatever that means) and holds England’s esteemed Order of Merit in addition to releasing several notable albums. Cliff hasn’t released a record since 2004’s Black Magic, but this teaser EP for a forthcoming 2012 LP raises the bar. The CD … Read more
Jinn
Jinn
SuperFi (2007)
Although this band shares their name with at least three other groups, this release is pretty solid. The United Kingdom's Jinn brings a little bit of punk and thrash to their metal sound, sounding somewhere between Mind Eraser and At the Gates. It's not too dissimilar from the rise of bands like Isis, in some of its slow, epic parts … Read more
JJ and The Real Jerks
The Wringer
Rankoutsider (2011)
Ok, so yeah, this is a relatively old release. The band has released a new EP since, but that’s not an excuse to ignore this one though. This is my first venture into JJ & The Real Jerks—better late than never—and I must say, it was a pleasant one. I would not have expected a garage rock band hidden behind … Read more
