Customer Reviews

Gems of Masochism

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I realize this is supposed to be a review of the Import CD, but in Love with Jets is the only record I have, and the import was the only one my search returned. additionally, the listed Import CD was not available; "the label is out of stock". More of this band should be heard; I've heard an reasonable man declare AA "the best band" after intensely studying my record for about a minute and a half. I consider them to be one of my "favorite" bands and have heard scarcely more than 15 minute of the elusive hardcore noise. They somehow ally with Born Against and Sonic Youth -- to create a suspended landscape of sound -- fractured and all surface -- exploding into silence just as quickly as it arose. As if they had an accident -- and fell rapidly, violently all over their instruments -- only to do so, over and over throughout the turbulent ride. It's an assult of holy noise -- a slap in the face. pleasantly creative -- and no doubt a collectible

For printing a re-issue of this fine record on his 31G label. The actual CD case is blood red, adding to the gothiness of this record.

It does contain the erratic drumming and spastic singing, but traces of distorted guitar are difficult to find on this record. It is driven mostly on drums, bass, and piano/keyboards. Some of the songs sound like good music to blast when cruising out on Halloween ("Too Bad You're Going to Die"). Others are just weird hardcore-ish spasms that end before you can even figure out what is going on ("Picnic Pants").

It's a remarkable 8-track, 20-some minute record, making the repeat button on your stereo system look quite attractive. Aaron Montaigne became Baron and did a vaudevillainish record with Tarot Bolero and Mac Mann and Ron Avila are in The Get Hustle, so there are more records out by the members to seek out for. This is a great record to place along your collection containing The Birthday Party and Bauhaus.

Antioch Arrow began as one of the pack of San Diego 'emocore' bands that cropped up in the early 90s. Then something happened, and they metamorphed into something far more unique and compelling. I have no idea how to classify this record. For reasons I can't really explain, somehow it reminds of the Beat poets. It has a very free-form 'throw the rules out the window' feel. It constantly shifts from chaos to beauty to violence to melody to screams to whispers and on and on and on. And then, almost immediately after recording this, they broke up. Like clockwork.

There is another AA CD which contains all of their work prior to Gems (two short LPs and a single or two, etc.) which is excellent, but far less mature and interesting.

This album is not at all the chaotic sound of the band's early LPs and 7inches,this is a spooky,gothic sound.Instead of pummeling guitars and crushing drums we get tinkling pianos and creepy organs,jazzy guitar chords,and Aaron crooning in a christian death-kinda way.The last song has sorta the chaotic sound,but this is is a different animal.The post-AA projects:The get hustle and tarot bolero should give a hint to what GEMS OF MASOCHISM is like.

a friend of mine made me a tape of this hard to find CD. Amazing. The vocals on this album are much much more breathy than "in love with jets". The songs are a little less messy sounding.. but still chaotic. the keyboard on this album is more prominent and there is lots of artsy piano parts. This is said to be their "goth" album and frankly i agree with that statement. If you ever see this CD or LP somewhere.. buy it immediately.. masterpiece!

best album they made... too bad its so friggen hard to find... dammit.