Take Me to the Sea

At first I was thinking this was more like Soiled Doves, which I think is the weakest Johnny Whitney project, but after giving it a few spins in headphones then I started to change my tune. Now I would rank it as a more focused experiment on the level of Neon Blonde (though clearly showcasing different flourishes). Jaguar Love incorporates a strange blues guitar element almost like Relationship of Command crossed with Red Medicine, but split through the distinct tortured prism of the Blood Brothers and especially Johnny Whitney. Expect this album to take a few listens and some willingness on your part to not dismiss it befeore it's mashed-together song parts have a chance to become distinct. By about my fourth listen, halfway through the album it all started to click with me and I could even apreciate the stranger songs like Georgia. In general the second half really seals the deal. Now I love the album, but yes...it had to grow on me.

I'm a jaguar pirate. Don't mess with me. This was awesome to listen to and all Blood Brother fans will get a kick out of it.

I was in doubt w/ this band when I heard their demo's online earlier this year but what studio magic they concocted w/ this magnificent release. I'm not a big fan of their "highway of gold" single but the rest of this album really shines. The second song "bats over the pacific ocean" is where I stopped cringing my teeth and took notice of the subtle but progressive approach they ease into. They have a trendy style that I'm not real fond of when all bouncy and obnoxious but surprisingly this isn't the case when they get comfortable. They have a more laid back approach than I was expecting. Now they do get funky and make good beats here and there but when they go back to a more melodic mindset that's where they pull me in. "Georgia" and "bone trees and a broken heart" are both perfect examples of Jaguar Love at their finest. "Bone trees..... " is a throwback to older 'doo wop' didies that has a nice groove while being modern. Also "georgia" has a nice hook that is really big and very catchy. I also have to make an observation on the vocals not being for everyone. They really are the main focus although the instruments do take front at times and rock out. If anyone is familiar w/ blood brothers or neon blonde than you know what you are in for when Johnny takes the mic. He has grown to be a really good eccentric vocalist but don't be surprised if your friends hold their ears when he starts his crooning, he doesn't sound like anyone else so most will be disliking his style, oh well. Now the reason I give this album a 4 has to do with the fact that they have a lot of room to grow. By listening to this c.d. you can predict that their next or later albums will be huge with a lot more orchestration and a lot more variety. They are definitely on to something and will probably be the next big thing before the end of this decade, just a prediction so give them a try before everyone else craves their uniqueness.

So, Jaguar Love has come up with one of the albums of the year (2008). Not bad for a semi-supergroup involving former members of Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves. As fans of those bands may know this means 'Take Me To The Sea' is not going to be easy punk listening nor easy glam listening. Jaguar Love is a project you have to invest some time in to get the benefits from. On first listen Jonny Whitneys' voice comes over almost like that of a petulant 6 year old girl; high pitched, strung-out to breaking point and ear splitting. It's not as unintelligible or as manic as much of Blood Brothers' screamo was but it is still sure to turn off many unsuspecting prospective fans. That said, it compliments the screeching, staccato guitars that occasionally sound tortured beyond endurance. Cody Votolato hits his instrument with a primal, punk joy; the enthusiasm bleeds from the speakers helped no end by a loud, sharp, cacophonous production. It's not one dimensional by any means and there is plenty of respite amongst the barrage (although you should not equate respite with quiet!) These two are backed by Jay Clark on drums and keyboards. The keyboards weave like early Faith No More (Chuck Moseley era) in, out and around the punk squall like sinuous tendrils supporting and softening Whitney & Votolato's screech and giving the songs depth and colour. His drumming, as in all the best punk bands, is complex but tight; driving, subtle and never boring. After a few listens the songs reveal themselves and nothing is straightforward new wave/punk. 'Highways Of Gold' bounds along with a joyous joie de vivre, it's glam stomp upped to 11 in second track 'Bats...'. 'Georgia' is an alt-punk show tune, all soaring vocals and grand gestures. 'Antoine And Birdskull' is apocalyptic; approaching Coheed and Cambria-esque heaviness and reach. 'Bone Trees...' slows things down and could almost be dressed in a big feather boa such is its glam campness. Yes, 'Take Me To The Sea' takes time but it's definitely worth it. It's lively, loud and original. Jaguar Love approaches on CD the manic-ness of an Arcade Fire live show. It may not be as multi-orchestrated but it is certainly as inventive and exciting. One to scare the neighbours with and love with a passion!

La séparation de Pretty Girls Make Graves m'a laissé pantois. Ce groupe, assez méconnu, que je soutenais bec et ongles, dont j'essayais de parler à tout le monde avec un enthousiasme démesuré n'était plus. Quelle déprime. En remontant la pente, j'ai cherché à savoir ce qu'étaient devenus les membres du groupe. Les Cave Singers de Derek Fudesco ne m'ont pas impressionné. A me mettre sous la dent de la part d'Andrea Zollo : un featuring sur une chanson de l'album hip-hop de Grayskul. Apparemment elle joue désormais de la batterie dans le dernier groupe de Spencer Moody. Je n'ai pas écouté le projet de Nick Dewitt (après tout, c'est lui qui a causé la fin du groupe). Et j'ai fini par découvrir que Jay Clark le génial guitariste avait reformé un groupe avec des anciens Blood Brothers : Jaguar Love. Sauf qu'il y joue de la batterie des claviers et de la basse, à peu près tout sauf de la guitare en fait. Et qu'il a depuis quitté le groupe. Avec l'expérience j'ai de toute façon appris à me méfier de ces pseudos super-groupes et suis souvent tombé de haut avec mes idoles. Bon peu importe, j'ai commandé le disque, voyons voir de quoi il en retourne. Jaguar Love, c'est du superpop-avant-art-punk-glam-post-hard-rock, un mélange détonnant de plein d'influences, de sons et d'attitudes. Ca passe ou ça casse. Déjà il ne faut pas être allergique à la voix suraigue de falsetto de Johnny Withney. Je trouve ça amusant et m'y suis habitué, sans être adepte des couinements des chanteurs de hard-rock pour autant, mais je comprendrais très bien que l'on trouve sa manière de chanter absolument insupportable. L'album commence très fort, avec sans doute les deux meilleurs morceaux du disque. Tumultueuses et jubilatoires ces deux chansons effrénées emportent tout sur leur passage. Toutes les réticences s'envolent, balayées par les mélodies et l'exubérance de cette musique riche, saturée de sons, d'harmonies, de cris, de rythmes, sucrée et pop, rock et punk, remplie à ras-bord d'idées et de riffs. Rapidement on a l'impression d'écouter, eberlué, la bande originale d'un dessin animé survolté de Tex Avery, dans lequel le loup, la vamp et un Droopy sous amphètes auraient formé un groupe punk. Et cet édifice tient debout, porté à bout de bras par les mélodies et l'énergie du groupe. Après un troisième morceau nettement moins impressionnant, sauf à se laisser berner par la virtuosité qui donne le change quand les chansons ne sont plus trop à la hauteur, Gloria permet de reprendre son souffle, en ralentissant le tempo et le nombre de notes à la seconde. Epique et charmeuse, cajolée par les synthés, elle pourrait sombrer dans la facilité et le maniérisme mais par je ne sais quel tour de passe-passe elle réussit à nous convaincre et nous séduire. Ensuite ça se gâte vraiment, et l'on commence à se lasser de tout, de la voix, des riffs qui tournent dans le vide, mais les Jaguar Love sont malins et ont gardé pour la fin leurs autres bons morceaux. Les trois dernières pistes remportent en effet la mise : bien troussées, mélodiques et enjouées, elles nous reprennent par les sentiments, nous rappellent combien finalement nous aimons aussi et encore les chansons pop bien huilées jouées avec passion et enthousiasme. Pour ses forces et faiblesses, le disque mériterait 3 étoiles et demie. Cette note étant impossible, je leur en accorde finalement 4 car si leurs moins bons morceaux sont un peu fatigants, les meilleurs sont vraiment excitants et exaltants.

Absolutely love this record! If you like Blood Brothers just get it. The lyrics are abstract and surreal in places and the music is absolutely brilliant. A really great album. Hope I can find the second one for a decent price somewhere!