Album Details

• Artist: The Jesus Rehab
• Album: The Highest Highs And Lowest Lows
• Label: None
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: paperdollface on 2010-09-25

While you may not be familiar with Seattle’s The Jesus Rehab yet, it’s probably time to get used to hearing their name.

The Highest Highs and the Lowest Lows, the first full length album for The Jesus Rehab and the follow up to their 2007 EP, Scatterbrained, is a rollercoaster ride of unforeseen corners and curves, never knowing what lies around the next turn, but smoothly hugging the rail with a safe and effective confidence.

Coming out of the gate with the simple, melodic “Introduction,” a listener’s first impression may leave them expecting a melancholy, moody collective in the tracks to follow. First impressions are often lasting ones, and this intro sets a smooth tone, until the set of punchy lyrics and upbeat hooks in track 2, “It Feels Good Is It Good,” grab the reigns and runs. Never disappointing, each track possesses a sound unique to it’s predecessor; “Nervous Energy” a frenzied beat with a twinge of mania, all the way to the closing track, “Reprise,” an instrumentally driven power-piece seemingly channeling a sort of Explosions in the Sky-meets-Muse hybrid.

One important aspect to note about this album is the fluidity between one track to another, despite the varying tempos, intensity and styles of the individual songs. It’s a beautifully crafted collection that leaves the listener feeling as though they’ve taken a carefully plotted cross-country road trip, delicately transitioning from town to town, experiencing a wavering range of highs and lows, yet coming full-circle to their starting destination, only this time a little more evolved.

In a time where most records feel like sloppy mix tapes compiled of a producer’s favorite single-worthy tracks, The Highest Highs and LowestLows is a refreshing return to the art of thoughtfully crafted albums.

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