Better Off Without Air

Jazz June | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Initial
• ASIN: B00006L3JS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,802 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent cd., November 21, 2003

By 

capslockmurder (the moon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Better Off Without Air (Audio CD)

this album is amazing.
the jazz june has finally
stepped out of their emo
sound, and have matured to
a purely experimental 70's
rock sound. i've known these
guys for a while, and they have
definitely matured as far as music
goes. the drumming is tight with
the guitar rhythm, the vocals sound
good, and the song structures are
pretty tight, too.

A+

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Band Ever, November 19, 2004

By 

Terrin Lonehart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Better Off Without Air (Audio CD)

It disheartens me when people say the Jazz June are not unique at all and that they are untalented because they've transformed their sound with their newest CD. Well, those are all just lies. The Jazz June is one of the most independent and unqique bands I know. They really know how to blend emo, punk, indie, grunge, jazz, hardcore and noise into one smooth, beautiful sound. This CD and the Medicine are the two greatest Albums that exist, even though they have greatly evolved in between those two releases. This band is all about music. They don't care about politics like so many other bands. It's all music for the Jazz June, and they truly deserve your respect and attention. They defintely have mine. With a strong semblance of such bands like Nirvana, Superchunk, Elliott, Braid, Modest Mouse, Sweep the Leg Johnny, Bear Vs. Shark, and Sparta, and still sustaining their own different sound. With the normal line-up of vocals, guitars, bass, and drums (which are all outstanding and better than any other bands'), the Jazz June has added in brilliant keyboarding and various sound effects. The synthesizer is featured in tracks 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11. (Check out their Medicine CD to hear their awesome trumpet, maraccas, electric piano, farfisa, and casiotone)
"Drugs and Models" is a driving burst of crazy and catchy guitars. "Hate/Bass" is a an interesting techno/electronica-based melody. "We've Got Your Situation" starts off with gentle guitars and a soft voice, then suddenly explodes into ferocious guitars and a raspy voice. "Shots Fired" exhibits a repeating but catchy rythym, with police recordings in the background. Other amazing songs include "Uptown Explosion", "These Pills Won't Calm Your Nerves", "Stings A Bitch", "Red Bank Blues", and "Over and Over." Remember to not listen this CD thinking "Better Off Without Air" is the best track just because the album is called that. Actually, it is one of the worst tracks on this CD, but still pretty good. This CD would be better without songs like "Benny Clarks Can" and "The Submarine Song", but the magnificence of the other songs totally defeats that.
I hope this band stays together for a long time. In various articles I've read, it says that the Jazz June are all good friends and love nothing more than playing music together. They are not corrupted by politics and other such outside matter. They are their own band. In another article, it said that they are dissapointed at how much respect has been lost recently. I agree. I am also dissapointed at how nobody can just sit down and listen to some good, unique music like this, instead of all those same-sounding bands like Yellowcard and Taking Back Sunday. But then again, I don't want too many people listening to the Jazz June. I like how they are one of the most underground bands that exist today. Go JJ.

4.0 out of 5 stars fantastic if youre open to change, February 3, 2004

By 

"noiseloop" (australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Better Off Without Air (Audio CD)

Okay, so if you only know the older jazz june (the medicine and before) you will find this album a huge change. It might even leave you wondering for a while `is this jazz june?'. My reaction to this album was the same that happened to my friend who introduced me to them.
I'd loved the `the medicine'... for me it was the perfect blend of half haphazard recording / studio sound. This is one of the first things you'll notice with `better off without air'... it has none of the sound / feel of an amateur studio recording. The tracks are polished, the parts are well rehearsed and at times even seems like they might not be pushing themselves with the technicality, rather focusing on creating a polished and perfected sound / part. Recording.
The whole jazz element has taken a dramatic shift with this track as well. `the medicine' seemed a crazy, energy filled explosive cd. Something you'd go off jumping or running to...
My initial reaction to `better off without air' was to hate it. I thought they'd thrown out the window all the elements I loved about them. It seemed a little cold and void of emotion to begin with.
But as my friend said, give it time. It took me a long time to like it. Probably 3 months or more. But it really is a fantastic album. The same strange haunting lyrics are still the same, the energy is there still... it's just a very different style of music. in my own way, I'd become what I was always against, being closed and not open to change.
They've got the groove down pat with a lot of this album.
If you have the patience and you're open to experimentation, this album is a must. If you only liked their hardcore / emo / punk edge, and you're only into that scene, it's better off if you give this one a miss.