Review:

on 2011-08-16 CharlesMartel Said:

This album, Jesu's second, has been described as forming one of the many sub-genres of metal. That may well be the case if you use the term metal in its broadest sense. Somehow, I do not see the connection to be at all valid. Forerunner bands which the various members may have participated in may well have been one form of metal or other but this is most definitely not. What you have here is a combination of the post rock of Sigur Ros combined with some of the more esoteric bits of Slowdive plus a shed load of drone thrown in for good measure. That probably explains why it has also been tagged as being post-rock, drone and shoegaze  again it is really none of the above. Whatever description one applies, however, is almost certain to be entirely inadequate. This album has to be judged on its own merits for Jesu have managed to create a sound which is like nothing else. It is also a sound that requires some serious listening for this is not going to grab you straight away.

The first thing you notice is the oppressive, indeed stultifying quality of the sound. This is not just a wall of sound, this is an all-enveloping cotton wool ball of sound which surrounds you, smothers you and eliminates all senses except hearing. Right from the start, the slow droning chords match the beat of the drums to produce a sound like a pulse throbbing, like the heartbeat of something lying very deep and hidden. The guitars are distorted to the point of being indistinguishable as individual instruments, and adding to the effect of the overwhelming density of the music. On first listen, you get the sense that this is monotonous, grey, urban-industrial and rather depressing. Look at the cover, and the sensation is not lifted. In that sense it reminded me very much of the first time I heard Killing Joke's eponymous first album - even the bleak urban landscape duotone cover is similar. But again, first impressions can be quite deceptive.

But this is not, unlike Killing Joke, a depressing album. Quite the opposite for it is, in the end, once you take the trouble to listen to it, strangely uplifting. Although there are some heavy-duty soundscapes on here, none of them ever reach a point at which depression seeps through. Partly this is due to the the fact the songs are written in major keys, which gives them a smoother and less stark feel, but a lot of the uplifting sensation derives from the vocals, which never seek to bludgeon the sensibility and the pathos out of you.

Indeed a lot of the strength of the album is due to the vocals. Justin Broadrick has often been criticised for having a narrow range and a rather boring voice. Be that as it may, it seems to suit the timbre of this album just fine. The voice here, as with many other bands before them stretching back to the dream pop of the Cocteau Twins or the shoegazers (hence the comparisons) is used as an instrument in its own right. As a result, the meaning of the vocals is secondary to the effect, and the effect of the vocals is to enhance and highlight the density of the music. As a result, it is hardly surprising that the lyrics have a secondary purpose and really do not matter much at all. The vocals are just monotone enough not to distract from the music, but not so bland as to be inconsequential or annoying.

The result in the end is a beautiful but not easy listen. It is often difficult, after listening to the album, to recall what parts of it relate to which song, though after repeated listens, the title track and "Medicine" stand out as being the album's best tracks. It rewards repeat listens, but needs to be tackled sparingly, lest the density of the sound overwhelm you. However, if given time and patience it is definitely an album which will grow on you.
Rating: 8/10

on 2008-01-23 kev_stev Said:

Any one wanna help me get this album? I really like the way it's described and wanna check it out for myself.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-08-22 SolitaryMan Said:

If I had to call Jesu anything, it would be post-post-rock. They seem to take to slow builds and a repetitive sort of swirl that many post-rockers do, only in another realm of sound; much heavier, yet still a firm grasp on melody. Between this and their s/t, I'm hooked. Thanks for finding me another favorite group, Dennis.
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2007-03-13 hstisgod Said:

Great review Dennis...Its nice to see you're still alive...Don't get me wrong, your reviews are always top notch, but I can feel your fanhood and passion here. I havent given these guys enough of a shot over the years... I like Old Year so far, though its definitely an acquired taste, its got that melodic I dont give a fuck feel. Truly a challenge to categorize these guys.
Rating: 8/10