The melodic, glowing sounds of Jets to Brazil shine through once again on their latest effort Four Cornered Night. The indie rock heroes return on Jade Tree Records this fall, the label home for the similar sounding Pedro the Lion and The Promise Ring. This time out, the Jets worked long and hard on the recording process, carefully hand crafting each track throughout the course of two years.
During the interim period between their last record and this disc, the band hit the road for an exhaustive tour, playing with everyone from Alkaline Trio to Jimmy Eat World. Such time traveling throughout the United States inspired this group to develop a rootsy, yet modern American rock sound, rather than a Brit pop style that they were previously accustomed to being categorized in. Within that change of style, the band switches between fast paced, emo rock tracks in the vibe of the Juliana Theory, and some quieter tunes that tell poignant stories, almost in the tune of Elvis Costello. The latter influence is shown in the mid-tempoed, acoustic laden "Little Light," as well as the piano based melody found on "Empty Picture Frame." "You're Having the Time of My Life" has hit single potential, with a Clash styled beat minus the screaming punk vocals, while "Milk and Apples" features the group's more intense and rock based side. The album ends with "All Things Good and Nice," an almost surreal ballad highlighting Blake Schwarzenbach's passionate vocals and song writing skills.
Those that have been following the group throughout the 1990's will certainly notice the group's departure from the UK vibe and should find the change over to American rock to be refreshing, and even a bit daring. The group's sound is not completely altered, as the original Jets to Brazil spirit is still intact and alive and kicking.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Tom BastianThis is one of my favorite albums of 2000. I liked their first release, "Orange Rhyming Dictionary", but wasn't totally impressed with it. Some of the songs on that album were really good, while others seemed to lack something. With "Four Cornered Night" Jets to Brazil totally impresses. Overall the album kind of have a mid-tempo feel. Nothing that really rocks too much, and nothing that bores…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by MarkImagine if Jakob Dylan from the Wallflowers started a band which had a sound that was equal parts Squeeze, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and the Psychedelic Furs. Now you have an idea what this new Jets To Brazil record sounds like. This record sounds good sonically (much better than their last album) but I didn't find it very interesting to listen to. The lyrics are often too witty for their own good…Decapolis 2000Reviewed by Matt R.I have heard it said before that listening to Jets to Brazil is like taking a girl that's friends with the girl you really want to go to the prom with. Hearing that voice and those lyrics makes you wish you were listening to Jawbreaker, even though it isn't that bad. With their new record they at least manage to keep my interest partially. Their brand of rock sounds to me like a post-punk…Similar sounding releases
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