One of the best albums to come out thus far in 1999 is The Juliana Theory's Understand This Is a Dream. Don't be thrown off by the fact that the band is led by Brett Detar, formerly of Zao; this album never even approaches hardcore. It's somewhere between poppy "emo" mood rock, post-punk rock-n-roll, and just plain good music.
Some songs, like "August in Bethany" and "The Closest Thing," are rather catchy power pop, and it's not difficult imagining these as prospective radio hits. Other songs, such as "Music Box Superhero" and "This Is Not A Love Song" are moody, intricate pieces that just astound the discerning listener. Songs like "Seven Forty-Seven" show off a more punk influence.
Lyrically, this album doesn't have a high "JPM" (Jesus Per Minute) rating. That is, it's an album more about depicting everyday life from a Christian perspective than it is a praise and worship album. Predominant themes are friendship and the right kind of love. This album has a great flow to it. I can't tell you how easy it is to just start letting the music soak in early in the album and then suddenly realize you are nearing or facing the end. This is definitely one of those "sit alone in the dark and listen to it on a deeper level" type albums. Everything just blends so well and works together on this record.
What do they "sound" like? Well, if you take the most recent Sunny Day Real Estate album (How It Feels To Be Something On) and combine it with Starflyer 59, a dash of the Prayer Chain's Mercury album, a pinch of Weezer, and a wee bit of new school punk (gotta listen for it, though!), then you've come close. If you are into music that gets a bit deeper than mainstream CCM or top 40, then Understand This Is a Dream is a great choice.
4/5
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by AmberEver since I heard this band I have been nothing but impressed. The Juliana Theory combines good lyrics, the ability to harmonize, and an altogether good sound to make them an absolutely wonderful band. And even though it was their debut, Understand This is a Dream is nothing but good stuff. The Juliana Theory's sound is what I would call a pop/rock and roll album, or some people might call it…7ball #27Reviewed by Melody AlexanderThey say they have a theory to prove. Exactly what that theory entails remains somewhat unclear. All that is explained on The Juliana Theory's Understand This Is A Dream is that the group is helping a study of actions and reactions between people through music. Drawn from the anguish of a twentysomething who's learning to deal with the pressures involved with love and growing up, The Juliana…The Phantom Tollbooth August 1999Reviewed by Tommy JollyThese guys are more along the lines of emo-pop than emo-core. Lead singer Brett Detar has assembled a fine group of musicians just as skilled at hooks as they are at angst. That is both their strongest suit and their biggest weakness: a song like "Show Me the Money," which consists of one pop hook and one chorus repeated over and over again, is way too slight to seem like anything more than…HM Magazine #77Reviewed by Doug Van PeltLately, some of the best music is being made by the artists who make hard music. Maybe those who really know the power of a good riff have a deeper appreciation for beautiful melody. In this case, Brett Detar of Zao is writing and composing all this great emo-like pop music. The difference between the unblack metalcore sounds of Zao and The Juliana Theory make for a totally dynamic…The Phantom Tollbooth April 1999Reviewed by Joe RockstrohWhat the heavy metal world has lost, the pop world has gained. Brett Detar, former guitarist of the metal band Zao, has created The Juliana Theory, a band in the guitar heavy tradition of Weezer, Lit, and The Magnificent Three. Although The Juliana Theory's music is best described as post-punk pop, small dashes of emo abound. The songs tend to center around the smooth singing of Detar, with the…Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco PovervestWhen I heard Brett Detar had left Zao (metalcore band on the Nail) to join The Juliana Theory, I was disappointed. He did such a great job on Zao's Where Blood And Fire Bring Rest that I wanted more of that. And someone described The Juliana Theory as kind of a Roadside Monument and I was never into Roadside Monument! Now, the first Juliana Theory album through Tooth & Nail lies before me. Let me…Similar sounding releases
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