Customer Reviews

Orange Rhyming Dictionary

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was driving this evening. I had this CD, this one that I listened to sparingly once or twice before, before I found Burning Airlines (which I highly recommend, as well). What BA is to Jawbox, this is to Jawbreaker, but I'm sure most of you know that.

Anyway.

I was driving along. I listened to this album. I drove some more. Odd things happened. I smiled. I cried. I laughed. I danced in my seat. This CD totally rocked me out. From the beginning anthemish (if you could allow me the slack here) Crown of the Valley, to the beauiful Sweet Avenue, I was glued inside my car. I played I Typed for Miles three times straight. I couldn't even pull over to fill up my car with gas until every song was done. Twice.

Blake's songs move me. I'm still haunted by that masterpiece Bivouac, which I don't even own, but have heard blaring from a friend's stereo at a party. This album is no different.

This ain't your father's punk rock. It's something... new. Beautiful. Moving. Full of emotion.

I recommend this album highly. Listen to it. Don't expect full-on adrenaline (let Naked Raygun, reissued, btw, do that). It's mellow. It's wonderful.

I'd say "perfect" if I was more prone to hyperbole, but this album is by far one of the best of the last decade. Being a Jawbreaker fan, I was keen on hearing Jets to Brazil, and at first sadly disappointed. It was so different(evolved?) from Jawbreaker that I couldn't listen to it, and I gave the CD to a friend, who later copied one of the songs onto a mixed tape I listened to a few months later...the tape got stuck in my car tape deck and after a few (mandatory) listenings the music and lyrics of the song ("Morning New Disease") started to grow on me like a fungus. Eventually, I stole the CD (back) from this friend, and there hasn't been a day in the last year where I do not play something from it. While the music is less aggressive than Jawbreaker (the "Dear You" Geffen release is exempt from all references to Jawbreaker) it is actually more powerful on the merits of its really well articulated nuances. Also, Blake Swarzenbach's lyrical facility is at its peak- some lines are unforgettable. It would be interesting to see some of the fiction he left Jawbreaker to write...after seeing J2B play recently in Boston, I have to say many the songs from the NEXT CD (due out 8/15) are a little slower on average, and at times more influenced by the country ballad than anything else-but I'm sure the release will also be excellent. Also, its sounds as though Blake has borrowed some of his own earlier material in composing the new album (e.g. a couple of hooks, and even the line "Orange Rhyming Dictionary"- the title of release #1 for a chorus on the new release...the concept itself originally a la Tom Robbins). Enough typing, buy the CD.

This is probably one of my top ten favorite CDs of all time. The vocals, the guitars, the drums, just everything is incredibally well done. I have never seen them play live, so I have no comment on how good the CD is versus how good they are live, although I would love to see them live.

Anyway, my favorite songs are Lemon Yellow Black, track 5, and track 8. All the songs are really cool actually, but I'm not too fond of I Typed for Miles, although I don't really mind it.

If you want to buy a CD, buy this one!

This is erudite, poetic rock of the highest calibre. Emotional but not sensitive or twee. It's well constructed but never seems forced. Lyrically, it's pure poetry shorn of all excess. Not a word is wasted.

When Jets to Brazil rock it's infectious (The anti authoritarian 'Morning New Disease') When they get dark it's utterly heartbreaking (The study of suicide on 'Conrad' is chilling, "She checks in, in dwindling daylight. A week up front, asks not to be bothered. The registry will show her mothers name.") On 'Sea Anemone' it's marriage break up. On 'King Medicine' it's drugs.

They save the best for last, the redemptive and uplifting 'Sweet Avenue.' A song of such beauty and perfection the world stops when it comes on. "Tasting you in rain i, walk down to the train, trying not to look down. This day could some day be, an anniversary, everything is light and sound."

Yes, Jets to Brazil are an Emo band... But they are distincly 'old-school' Emo: emotional, erudite and balanced rather than emotional, attention-seeking and sullen. Jets to Brazil are an Emo band in the same way that Propaghandi are pop punk.

Please, do yourself a favour and investigate this great album.

I know this is not Jawbreaker but since Blake Schwarzenbach wrote the songs on this album it has Jawbreaker moments. This album has a more upbeat feel overall and is real mellow. No really rocking tunes but it has a strong solid tone through out and if you like great guitar work and great vocals this fits perfectly with you. Unlike Jawbreaker it doesn't slam you down with great hooks and fast pace. This album lulls you in quietly and really makes you think. I think in someways this was a natural progression for Blake.

For anyone who is debating on buying this album, I would reccomend it in a second.Orange Rhyming Dictionary is one of a few albums I have loved every song on. Some songs stick out like "chinatown" and "king medicine," but every song on this album is sure to be one anyone would enjoy (who has a good taste in music).

This is quite possibly one of the best albums i own. It was recomended to my by a friend when i was looking for something different to listen to. This album is without a doubt different than anything else i have listened to. It has great lyrics that deal with a variety of feelings and situations. if they are a bit depressing its only because life too is depressing. but there is also joy to be found in this album. at the the end of sea anemone the singer has gone from contemplated suicide to a start of a new life. also the end of album with sweet avenue shows there are good things in life among the bad. The music is often upbeat but with a meloncholy to it. There is lots of layering in the melodies making this far from the simple music of amny other alternative bands. In all this album has meaningfully powerfull lyrics combined with great musicianship. Certainly a must have for any CD collection.

There is not a bad track on this album. The first time you listen to this CD, you'll love it. Listen to it repeatedly and you will appreciate it for its brilliance. Every song seems to build up on this CD, each one better than the one before. Some songs are louder, some songs are more soft and slow. This is just overall an amazing album, with many great rock songs. Highlights include just about anything.

As good as contemporary rock music gets. JTB takes disparate elements of post-punk, emo, classic rock, and even New Wave to create a modern masterpiece. "Sea Anemone" is without a doubt my favorite track, but with the exception of the weak "Lemon Yellow Black", every song on Orange Rhyming Dictionary stands alone as a great piece of work. Strongly, strongly recommended to anyone who considers themselves a fan of "rock" in any sense of the word.

wow, my friend told me to buy this album, so hesitantly i did. the first time i listened to it i must admit i wasn't impressed, but after just a few listens, it is now one of my favorites. you must buy this CD it is amazing, my favorite tracks are "Sweet Avenue" and "Starry Configurations" Once you get accustomed to the sound, it will not leave your CD player, i promise.