Junius - Junius
Rating
RIYL
Interpol65daysofstatic
Joy Division
The Cure
Tracklist
1. [élan vital]2. hiding knives
3. from the isle of the blessed
4. [elan fatale]
5. forcing out the silence
6. [the annunciation]
7. blood is bright
8. a word could kill her
9. in the hearts of titans
10. at the age of decay
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Having seen Junius live a number of times, my band opening for them several times here in Austin, TX, I knew what to expect before pressing play on their self-titled full-length: Angry shoe-gazer (some have called it nu-gazer), or neo-new wave (post-wave, maybe?). Junius construct dark, epic songs built around a mood more than a tune.
But for as many times as I’ve stood awestruck in front of this band, Junius on record just doesn’t give me the same chills, the same gut feeling that I was watching something truly special, as those lives shows did. A teaser for their much anticipated “real” full-length debut, Junius collects the bands previous two Radar Recordings EPs, re-released, packaged, and pressed with the help of SAF Records.
“[Elan Vital]” serves as a brief introduction to “Hiding Knives.” Taken together, as one long song in two movements, it’s clear that Disintegration was a mainstay on these dudes’ record players in adolescence. Joseph Martinez’ voice is full of dramatics, somewhere between Robert Smith and Ken Andrews of Failure, full of melancholy and vulnerability.
Parts of “From the Isle of the Blessed” bring to mind Pelican, should that band ever decide to employ a mascara-ed and moody lead vocalist. “Blessed” is big and anthemic, a hyperactive dirge that could easily have been written by a forward-thinking band circa 1987.
“[Elan Fatale]” is the closest thing to my memories of seeing Junius live. Martinez’ vocals are barely audible in the mix – they sound as if they were sung in the next room over and laden with chorus and reverb, hidden further by distorted screams. This is what a Junius live show sounds like, perhaps a result of shoddy sound systems more than design, but still – it’s what I’ve come to expect. “Forcing Out the Silence” closes the first half of this record with gigantic, swelling guitars.
“[The Annunciation]” begins the second set of songs, taken from the band's Blood is Bright EP. “Blood is Bright” is Junius at their absolute best. Martinez’ vocals are straight up Peter Murphy, moody and deliberate, full of disdain and passion. Driven by Dana Filloon’s heavily syncopated rhythms, the song builds around a mood and a feeling more than a guitar riff or drum beat. This type of tune certainly isn’t for everyone, but fans of post-rock, goth, and nightmare-pop will delight at how this songs builds into an impassioned explosion of sound.
“In the Heart of Titans” is another signature Junius song – something akin to Joy Division on some serious downers, the track is epic as fuck, building gracefully only to crumble under its own weight. If you need to hear one track to convince you of this band's brilliance, look for this one. “A Word Could Kill Her” breaks from the usual mid-tempo approach and actually contains a beat you can tap your foot to – think of it as angry Interpol or The Bravery on a bad day.
65daysofstatic may have landed the opening slot on The Cure’s current stadium tour, but that spot could have just as easily gone to Beantown’s Junius. This self-titled collection of previously released material serves as a fantastic teaser to the band’s soon-to-be-released debut full-length. Somewhere between the treachery of My Bloody Valentine, the doomsday outlook of Joy Division and the space-rock glory of Cave-In, Junius are one underground player who likely won’t be underground for much longer.
--James Taylor
Comments
michigan
AZ
www.myspace.com/arcoftheaurora
Finland
Leeds, England
I've been listening to the Forcing the Silence EP and I really dig it. They have massive potential.
New Jersey
when i see it in your eyes
i just want to go blind
it's the first two EPs combined. the released them together as a sort of teaser to the new full length.
Leeds, England
Brooklyn, NY
the new full length is coming out in September!
www.explodinginsound.com
New Jersey
lol i read this again and almost started posting exactly what i said when this was posted
when i see it in your eyes
i just want to go blind