Review
Desoto Jones
Aurora

Deep Elm (2007) Jason

Desoto Jones – Aurora cover artwork
Desoto Jones – Aurora — Deep Elm, 2007

Before I even really get into this review, I just need to let everyone out there in Scene Point Blank-land know that this album actually contains the lyric "You are speed bump in everyone's life." Not only is this line in the chorus which makes it repeated a few times, it's also the opening track under the same name. Speed bump; are you kidding me? Well I have feeling Aurora is going to be a pothole in my music listening life. Desoto Jones you may make me curse and worry about my non-existent car's axel, but will be all but forgotten by next turn.

The one-sheet that Deep Elm included with Aurora mentioned something about if this was the last thing that Deep Elm ever put out they would die a happy indie record label. Well good for you. If I put Aurora it would be my last release also since I would have realized I've lost my last shred of musical integrity after releasing this glossy doe-eyed Pro-Tools produced piece of schlock onto unexpecting ears.

If Desoto Jones isn't rewriting all of Jimmy Eat World's hits, they are trying master when Dashboard Confessional decided to plug in their guitars and rock out. Aurora is such a generic piece of emo-pop trash that I don't know who besides their five fans at the local community college's coffee shop would be into this. I suppose I could go check out Desoto Jones's Myspace and take a look at their fans, but why bother; we know the type - shy lonely slightly chubby girls that dress primarily in black and live on Livejournal.

I don't even know why I'm even bother listening to Aurora. I've heard Desoto Jones way too many times in my thirty-three years of existence on this planet. They are just another band that wants to be huge by writing songs that mirror what's popular with the "kids" these days. Last year this band was probably sporting size 44 JNCO jeans, braided their hair all weird, played their guitars as close to the ground as possible praying for an opening slot on Ozzfest.

Deep Elm, maybe it is time to wrap it up. Seriously how many more "speed bumps" does one have to go through? Aurora is so by the numbers I expected the CD to come with a small watercolor paint set. I can do nothing but sit here shake my head in disgust. I hope no one comes over and catches me listening to this.

2.0 / 10Jason • February 28, 2008

Desoto Jones – Aurora cover artwork
Desoto Jones – Aurora — Deep Elm, 2007

Related news

Deep Elm Signs Desoto Jones

Posted in Labels on November 2, 2007

Recently-posted album reviews

Silver Proof

Even If It Hurts
Independent (2026)

Some pop punk records feel made for playlists and algorithms. They’re polished into oblivion, emotionally vague, and afraid to get messy. Silver Proof clearly didn’t get that memo. The Buffalo trio’s debut full length, Even If It Hurts, leans heavily into the emotional core of early 2010s emo pop and melody while still sounding energized rather than nostalgic. Across the … Read more

Lice (Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman)

Vol. 4: Miami Lice
Rhymesayers (2026)

This EP released kind of suddenly, back in March, right before a bunch of stuff hit the fan in my life outside of SPB. Which means the EP felt sudden, but this review has been stewing for nearly three months with a lot of repeat listening along the journey. At eight songs in length, it's short but sweet, and as … Read more

Various Artists

There Is No Sun - A Tribute To Jay Reatard
Sonic Church (2026)

The late, great Jay Reatard was a prolific master of rock n roll gems. Whether it be with his earlier budget-punk act of his namesake, Reatards, his synth-punk projects Lost Sounds and Angry Angles, or his solo material as Jay Reatard, Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. was an incredible songwriter. Those aforementioned bands are just a smattering of units he’s been … Read more