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 leftover material following two full-lengths (2004's Jesu and Conqueror from earlier this year), four EPs (2003's Heart Ache, 2006's Silver, Sun Down/Sun Rise from earlier this year, and the recently released Lifeline) as well as two split releases (one with Eluvium earlier this year on Temporary Residence/Hydra Head and another to be released sometime in the near future with Battle of Mice on Robotic Empire). The result of this clearing of the reserves is Pale Sketches, which Broadrick chose to kick off his resurrected Avalanche Inc. record label.
This is a surprisingly strong collection of songs for a bunch of "throwaway" tracks and unfinished ideas. Yes, the songs tend to be simple but that simplicity seems to work in its favor; Pale Sketches sounds more relaxed and reserved than Jesu normally does. The album opens with the surreal "Don't Dream It" which sounds like a twisted fairytale or some weird music box; Broadrick's vocals lend to the relaxed description as he sounds completely comfortable with his only lyrics being the title of the song (like I said, this album is overflowing with simplicity), and it makes for a trippy, hypnotic experience. "Can I Go Now" could possibly be mistaken for a dance track, but it works in a strange way for the record. The vocals, masked behind a slight distortion, make this one of the least Jesu-like songs to date. The three instrumentals on Pale Sketches play a huge part in actually connecting the record together so that it does not sound like the mish mash of songs that it purportedly is - "Wash It All Away," "Dummy," and "Tiny Universe"
"Playgrounds Are Empty" might be one of my favorite songs that Jesu has released thus far with its wall of guitars (an element that has been missing largely missing since the self-titled album) and measured keyboard flourishes. It continues with the poppy "wrist slashing" motif with some of the most depressing lyrics delivered with a serene vocal performance that makes it all so disturbing but equally catchy. "Supple Hope" is an equally excellent track from Pale Sketches. The vocal arrangement is an example of Jesu's increasing improvement with the inclusion of melody (it is a very calm performance), and the music maintains that melancholy sound that is so pervasive in their overall sound.
Pale Sketches has a less produced sound than what Jesu has been releasing of late and does not sound as polished, but neither of these facts detracts from the quality of the record. The album is a must have release for fans of Jesu and Justin Broadrick alike; it is limited to a scant 2,000 copies. Regardless, there still may be time to grab one of these records, which is supposed to be released on vinyl early in 2008 on Avalanche as well. Do not wait to get it or you will end up paying almost $70 for it on eBay next year.
