Grippe

Jawbox | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 3, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dischord
• ASIN: B000000JOC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,654 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Essentially recorded after getting enough songs together to fill out a 12" chunk of vinyl, Grippe's achievement was obscured increasingly after each successive Jawbox LP. That doesn't prevent it from being an enjoyable, albeit introspectively brutal record. J. Robbins might address a "you" during "Paint Out the Light" and "Tools and Chrome," but a self-flagellating nature can be detected throughout. That's what initially separated the band from their post-hardcore peers; instead of railing against authority and other oppressors, Jawbox pointed the finger at themselves. Musically it's their least distinct, marrying the earlier crunchy side of Joy Division with Throb Throb-era Naked Raygun. It's a pretty convincing synthesis, pulled off well by relative newcomers Kim Coletta (bass) and Adam Wade (drums), who sound well-honed enough for Robbins' effective Chicago-derived (NR, Effigies, etc.) guitar. Though most of the record doesn't require a skip button, the true highlight is a cover of Joy Division's "Something Must Break." Where Ian Curtis sounded typically cold and detached on the original, Robbins gradually boils over with each successive verse, draining any possible emotion from the song. As far as taking a song to another level, it rivals H sker D 's explosive cover of the Byrds' "Eight Miles High." Overall, a promising debut. [The CD version adds the band's debut 7" EP, featuring two early versions of Grippe songs and another rackety self-browbeater, "Twister."] ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oft-overlooked debut, September 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Grippe (Audio CD)

This album shows Jawbox in their formative stages as a three piece, who have yet to discover Helmet. Amazing lyricism and observation by ex-Gov. Issue J. Robbins and a fine job of packaging and compiling from Discord that include the first ep and a comp track in addition to a cover of Joy Division's "Something must break" off of the Still live album. I fell for this first record and haven't like any of the others, with the exception of parts of "Novelty," nearly as much.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great First Effort, April 15, 2004

By 

Scott Fendley (Zionsville, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grippe (Audio CD)

All of Jawbox' work is quality - but this set the tone for their work. It's probably their most consistent, even if this release is cobbled together from an LP and an EP.