Customer Reviews

Sexless Demons & Scars

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Lead vocalist Jessicka sounds like Kathleen Hannah of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre--girlish vocals one line, shrieking like a demented vixen the next. And the music is comparable to Bikini Kill too, a metal-punk hybrid, or is it punk-metal? Much of this is due to Jessicka and guitarist Ho Ho Spade.

"American Made" sets the tone for the album, and a perverse one at that. Lines like "Momma's apple pie got a cockroach in it", "Burn the flag with a fag" (British slang, not American), and "My world is evil but American made." Sometimes, with the overly materialistic lifestyle and economic policies we have in this world, that "but" should be replaced with "and."

"My Cat" is a humorous song extolling the virtues of her cat, who can break her arm in seven places, burn the Bible, and play guitar. And of course, Jessicka's cat is everything to her. Hmm, sounds like a certain music and video reviewer I know.

"Working With Meat" works well, with desensitization a major theme of the song, whether it is after a bad relationship, shoving coke up one's nose, even to the point that "the maggots eat away." The theme here is past caring.

Decay seems to play a theme here, especially with songs like the aforementioned "Working With Meat", "Lollirot". Heck, if we include moral decay, let's throw in "American Made".

A visual theme permeating throughout is dolls. The album cover, with the girls' heads on featureless bodies, the album song titles on the rear side in red, as if carved into the doll body with a razor, and the topless Raggedy Ann doll in the inside sleeve, which has a lyric from "Cumpdumpster" written beneath it.

It's a treat when Jessicka shrieks, which she does for a phrase or two during a song. A worthy effort in the metal/punk hybrid pantheon.

Jack Off Jill's debut 'Sexless Demons and Scars' is truly one of the most unique and disturbing releases in recent history. The combining childlike female singing (and abrasive screaming) with simple but alluring guitar riffs is surprisingly amazing. It basically sounds like the soundtrack to a little girl's nightmare. The shoddy production and -at some points - simple lyrics seem to enhance the all around experience instead of lessen the blow. To compare 'Sexless Demons and Scars' to Jack Off Jill's sophomore - and final - release 'Clear Hearts Gray Flowers' is asinine. The two are completely different in sound and all around atmosphere (though I myself prefer the later release). The themes behind most of the songs are sick as he ll. I mean you must love a lyric like "My little girlscout your mouth is getting sour, would you love me any less if I hurt you anymore..." (from my favorite track "Girlscout"). Or - from another great song "American Made" - "Burn the flag with a f ag...". Very entertaining. Granted, the album has no "Losing His Touch"es or "Nazi Halo"s, but it is still a must hear. The album is excellent but you must hear 'Clear Hearts Gray Flowers' (I love that record!) to truly undersand their genius. If you want a twisted rock and roll album this is it. A must have.

For Jack off Jill first attempt, I think they lived up to their potential. There was a lot of pressure on the band from Marilyn Manson, also from Florida, to make a record that would shock people as much as he does. JOJ manages to do this without losing their "realness." Unlike Marilyn Manson, they do disturb (with songs like 'cumdumpster' and 'swollen') but not for MTVs shock appeal, but for themselves. Jessicka's voice has outstanding pitch changes in her songs, as well aspersonality changes. She goes from cute little girl to screaming angry riot grrl. Her lyrics can be very personal, it seems as though this is how she gets her feelings out. Anyone who's ever been vulnerable, angry or has ever sneered at the world around themselves can easily relate. Bassist Robyn Moulder is the real talent among the "backup" (if you will) musicians. Ho-ho Spade and Lauracet Simpson didn't even last for the Sexless Demons tour with Switchblade Symphony and Psychotica. Former Manson member Scott Putesky has replace Spade. All in all, this is an excellent record for those brave enough to give it a chance. (They also give a great live show)

This band is awesome. I happened to stumble across them accidently and I am glad I did. Their music is strange, it rocks, but its strange. I wouldn't compare them with Marilyn Manson, though there is a slight similar style. Jessika's voice is a wild trip. Sometimes sounding like a little girl, innocent in tone, yet demonic lyrically, then she will scream and totally change up the sound. Great bass lines and insane lyrics make this a great cd. I was skeptical at first, so if you are, dive in, you won't regret it.

I listened to this album without hearing any of their stuff before. Usually most albums need a couple of listens, but I got into it straight away. This is fantastic! The songs have melodies, while still keeping their heavy guitar sound. Jack off Jill are a refreshing change from most of the bands around at the moment. Standout tracks for me: Devil with the Black Dress On, Girl Scout, My Cat, Super Sadist and Everything's Brown. There is a deep contrast in the music, one minute it is sentimental, sweet, and quiet, next minute, it's loud, heavy, screaming. Wow! Not many bands can do that! The music is highly creative, and they deserve a lot more recognition! Long live jack of Jill!

Jack Off Jill is a band from So. Florida who gets refered to far to often as just Marilyn Manson with a girl singer. But if you actually listen the band is much more than that. Singer, Jessicka twists her voice into angry emotional and childlike cries, too intense to believe. Bassist Robin Mulder and guitarist HoHo Spade, along with drummer Lauracet Simpson will present you with beautifully interwoven music perfectly locked with the lyrics. Definatly a band to check out if you're on the prowl for something new and a bit different. A beautiful debut.

Although Jack Off Jill may never have topped the charts or headlined Madison Square Garden, their contribution to gothic-alt rock as well as the Grrl Band Revolution isn't any less important.

Disbanding in 2000, they left their fans with a masterpiece, "Clear Hearts Grey Flowers". There first label release Sexless Demons & Scars (Risk) should not be discounted as anything far from great aswell.

Like I said, Sexless Demons And Scars is Jack Off Jill's first full length release on Risk Records. All songs are fun, angry, and most impressive. Though I think JOJ's vocalist outshines most of the music on this record, the results make for a great post punk joyride through candy covered wet dreams and razorblade smiles of painful nightmares!

If you like Le Tigre, Babes in Toyland, & hole BUY this record now!

This is one of the best CDs I've ever listened to. The music has some of the best guitar I've ever heard, and the vocals hit you right in the gut and shove their way into your heart. I've heard Jack Off Jill described as a "female Marilyn Manson," and I think this is true to a point. Jessicka and Manson have been friends for a while, and they have definitly influenced each others style, but they each have their own talents.

"if you push me too far, you might believe I'm real" -JoJ

Funny, sad, and compelling-- like moving art should be. There are many interesting social critiques about the female condition. Near-brilliant, an excellent debut.

very good for their first album. Jessicka has great vocals, from girly singing to the devilish singing... it is more rock than their 2nd album so this one would probably appeal to the more hardcore metal fans... i think you people should check out joj. even though they broke up, jessicka formed a new band called scarling