Customer Reviews

This Is the Way It Goes & Goes & Goes

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

 

 

"Rock and roll will never die, but my god, it deserves to." With the explosive resonance of a line like that, it's hard to deem the slow, seemingly pensive opener as apathetic. Even at that moment, on the only song on the album that doesn't thrive with an alien form of passion, Juno beats its competitors at their own game. This is not emo. This is devastating.

The following tracks range from vehement punk rock to crystalized elegies to expansive instrumental workouts. This ability to shapeshift, to congeal their three guitars into a pleasing variety of molds, cannot be lost upon the listener. Yes, they sound like Jawbox. Yes, they sound like My Bloody Valentine. Yes, they sound like Mogwai. But to that unique combination they add their own distinct flavor.

It all comes down to Arlie Carstens. I have not had another album tear into me as much as this one has. The personal recollections he spins into the songs are mirrored in my life, in the lives of those I've talked to about this album. It is his ability to take these events, events often too rough to talk about in person, and make them a palpable platform for catharsis that elevates Juno to their namesake's deity level.

I cannot think of any albums that have surpassed this since its release because of this combination. This sort of firebrand emotional intensity cannot be left unchecked. To leave it with an acoustic guitar makes it too strong, with no place to turn to when you're overwhelmed. The brilliance of Juno is that they take the epic proportions of Mogwai, the literate DC punk of Jawbox, and the swells of My Bloody Valentine, and couple it with this intensity. How many MBV songs could you relate to?

If this is how it goes, perhaps rock and roll shouldn't die.

I first listened to this album at a get together when I was 16 year old. I recalled the din of conversation being lulled to sleep as I tuned out my friends and aquaintances and began to listen to this brilliant recording playing the next room. Juno, specifically this album, is unlike anything I had heard up to that point in my life. Quiet and ponderous one track, heavy and energized the next. I believe I loved the album so much because of my angst at the time, however I was wrong. In returning to my musical roots last week I found this CD disused in the bottom of a moving box full of unsorted items. I dusted it off and scoffed at the thought of being so remeniscient. Not only was I instantly transported to the first time I had heard it, but was keenly aware that the lyrics transposed even more into my life and it's events since I was 16. This album is terrific and breath taking in every way imaginable. A lot of comparisons have been made along the lines of Jawbox, BV etc. but none can truely compare with the magnificence of this album. A true treat for anyone who is bored with the mainstream or needs to think about life for a tic. Worth a listen if you haven't and worth repeating if you have.

I d/l'ed the two tracks available at epitonic.com and was hooked. Finally found this is at a local record store and picked it and 3 other cd's up. This one won't get out of my cd player.

there is no way to fully describe the sharp, searing, eclectic sound of the wonder-band that is juno, but i'll give it my best try. get this cd, it's over 50 minutes of pure awesomeness. opening with the sort of eeire, sort of calm slither of the great salt lake, the cd just picks up from there. the band's extremely atmospheric guitars and arlie's pasionate vocals create an ambiance that is impossible to shake. singing lines like "are you as cold as the north pole, or just bi-polar?" and "you'll comply since we must move on, but you'll say the words like no one else has ever sung this song," juno captures an essence unlike any band has in the past. the album's high point is the song "january arms." a slow, meandering opener last for about 4 minutes before sharply giving way to a wall of beautiful noise, feedback, and melody. it might take a few listens to grow on you, but it's worth it. this cd is full of arctic, callous, caustic beauty, and is one of those rare must-listen albums

This is my new favorite band. This is Dark Pensive music at it's best - melodic and introspective. The sound is The Cure meets The Fall, w/their original sound thrown in for good measure. This is a great debut, from a band who is even better live.

I listened for days to the radio to hear, for the second time, Juno's track All Your Friends Are Comedians. All I can say is, after hearing that track with its dark, melodic vocals and Pink-Floydish instrumentation, I am buying it today. Some of the most powerful music I've heard since Floyd or Radiohead. A must have...

that's the word I use to describe this album. Juno's world is one which is painted in broad, bold brushstrokes, where you are awestruck and in wonder at everything you see, and where you play for keeps. Every band gets the same assignment ("your task is to make a CD"), but instead of creating a wheelbarrow, Juno has created a rocketship here. Awesome! 4-1/2 stars.

My fave - a moody rip tide of guitars. Juno reminds me a a melding early 80's elements something like the following equation: Chameleons + The Sound + Early Echo & TBM + (the 90's) Idaho + Codeine + Sunny Day Realestate = Juno.

Yes, Juno (and frontman Arlie) definitely have some Cure-ishness, but each tune goes on a journey of its own. I've seen them about 3 times now around Seatown (last night @ the Croc) and each gig builds on the last. Juno = 3 guitars = interesting, textured, charismatic. File under Death Cab? I don't think so.

This is an emotive and beautiful work by this group whom I had never heard of. It has reminiscences of The Cure, but runs deeper, somehow.