Search - Junior Varsity :: Great Compromise (W/Dvd) (Dlx)

The Junior Varsity ~The Great Compromise~

RaY RaY Pine | Philly | 07/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Junior Varsity's re-release of their debut album, The Great Compromise, probably marks a good chance for the band to further distance themselves from their older material and really move forward. An album that has been sought by diehard fans for awhile, Victory Records finally decided to cash in and release this album as a deluxe edition full with DVD and bonus tracks.



The good news for JV fans is that what they're getting out of the deal is just another great disc that they probably don't own already. The liner notes include the lyrics to all the songs as well as notes from the members of the band about each song. Featuring the emotive ""Park Your Car"" (which was apparently one of the first songs ever written by the band, and one of their best) and ""Left Foot Right Foot"" which has a The Running EP Beloved sort of feel minus the screaming--the album has a nice variety of pure pop-punk and emo-rock that makes them both accessible and identifiable.



Vocalist Asa Dawson slides in and out of tune seamlessly which, to most ears would making him sound amateurish but to these ears makes him even easier to identify with as he sings lyrics like Lost but not forgotten, down but far from out/ I could use a change of key while his lower range reminds me of Thomas Barnett from Strike Anywhere.



This album should easily find its way onto anyone's shelf that is into early Juliana Theory, early Get Up Kids or The Ataris. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot!

"