Search - Juno :: This Is the Way It Goes & Goes & Goes

Unmatched since its entrance

Sebastian Stirling | Somerville, MA United States | 06/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Rock and roll will never die, but my god, it deserves to." With the explosive resonance of a line like that, it's hard to deem the slow, seemingly pensive opener as apathetic. Even at that moment, on the only song on the album that doesn't thrive with an alien form of passion, Juno beats its competitors at their own game. This is not emo. This is devastating.The following tracks range from vehement punk rock to crystalized elegies to expansive instrumental workouts. This ability to shapeshift, to congeal their three guitars into a pleasing variety of molds, cannot be lost upon the listener. Yes, they sound like Jawbox. Yes, they sound like My Bloody Valentine. Yes, they sound like Mogwai. But to that unique combination they add their own distinct flavor. It all comes down to Arlie Carstens. I have not had another album tear into me as much as this one has. The personal recollections he spins into the songs are mirrored in my life, in the lives of those I've talked to about this album. It is his ability to take these events, events often too rough to talk about in person, and make them a palpable platform for catharsis that elevates Juno to their namesake's deity level.I cannot think of any albums that have surpassed this since its release because of this combination. This sort of firebrand emotional intensity cannot be left unchecked. To leave it with an acoustic guitar makes it too strong, with no place to turn to when you're overwhelmed. The brilliance of Juno is that they take the epic proportions of Mogwai, the literate DC punk of Jawbox, and the swells of My Bloody Valentine, and couple it with this intensity. How many MBV songs could you relate to?If this is how it goes, perhaps rock and roll shouldn't die."

Mind blowing

brad | san francisco, ca, usa | 08/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"there is no way to fully describe the sharp, searing, eclectic sound of the wonder-band that is juno, but i'll give it my best try. get this cd, it's over 50 minutes of pure awesomeness. opening with the sort of eeire, sort of calm slither of the great salt lake, the cd just picks up from there. the band's extremely atmospheric guitars and arlie's pasionate vocals create an ambiance that is impossible to shake. singing lines like "are you as cold as the north pole, or just bi-polar?" and "you'll comply since we must move on, but you'll say the words like no one else has ever sung this song," juno captures an essence unlike any band has in the past. the album's high point is the song "january arms." a slow, meandering opener last for about 4 minutes before sharply giving way to a wall of beautiful noise, feedback, and melody. it might take a few listens to grow on you, but it's worth it. this cd is full of arctic, callous, caustic beauty, and is one of those rare must-listen albums"

Pensive

kundun9 | New York City | 12/06/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is my new favorite band. This is Dark Pensive music at it's best - melodic and introspective. The sound is The Cure meets The Fall, w/their original sound thrown in for good measure. This is a great debut, from a band who is even better live."