I first experienced The Jazz June in 1998 at the Sweatshop in Allentown, PA which is a short trip from their hometown of Kutztown, PA. They played a show with Elliott and Mid Carson July. I loved The Jazz June's set so much that I bought their only CD at that point called "They Love Those Who Make The Music" (workshop records). That album has become one of my favorite albums in my collection. Since that album the Jazz June have released four more records and a few 7 inches.
Their new and fifth release on Initial Records is called "Better Off Without Air". A few weeks ago I was going to order the album for myself but then I got it in the mail to review and I was stoked!
I loved the Jazz June's last release "The Medicine", although the recording wasn't the best, I thought the songs were outstanding and true to the Jazz June sound. With "Better Off Without Air", The Jazz June takes a huge leap away from their melodic, technical rock and land right into an experimental mix of electronics and rock.
The recording for this album is a lot better than their former albums but the new album seems to be aiming at a target that is nowhere in sight. This album sounds nothing like anything they have done before. There is barely any resemblance to anything from their past. "Better Off..." is filled with creative experimentation but it lacks the power to make me become a fan of this new album. This album does not lack creativity but it does lack any type of punch. The lyrics are the same great Jazz June lyrics but the music is not appealing.
If you are a big Jazz June fan you might be disappointed. If you are a fan of electronic melodic "emo" you might love it.
C-
