Jena BerlinIt's only been four years since the inception of Jena Berlin, (who are named after the two colleges that Karl Marx attended in Germany) and they already have their second full length under their belts. For many, the band's debut full length, "Passion Waits As The Program Keeps Going" was one of the most praised releases of 2005. However, writing and recording an amazing album doesn't guarantee anything unless you have great label support and a promotional agency that is willing to bust their ass for you. Well, they got a label in Jumpstart, who will put their all behind these guys and they also have a good promotional company backing them this time around.
There's been some rough spots to pave over though, since the release of the band's debut full length, "Passion Waits As The Program Keeps Going", the band have gone through some lineup changes. First, they've parted ways amicably with guitarist Mark Eble and replaced him with Jordan Kolenc. They also parted ways with bassist Jesse Gaun and have replaced him with Jarod Weldin. That could be the reason for the slight change in song writing, either that or the band just felt it was time to evolve into what ever came naturally.
Musically, these guys still sound like they have been spinning their Texas Is The Reason, At The Drive In records a lot but they have toned down the epic bursts of intense song writing a bit. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of intense moments but it seems to be a bit more harnessed than last time around. It's not as if they totally threw out their old approach of song writing, they've just replaced the more angular guitar runs as well as the passionate, searing screams of Jon Loudon, who is in my opinion one of the most unique sounding vocalist in all of the underground (and one hell of a lyricist may I add), with a more streamlined approach. I can honestly say, they're aren't many "standout tracks", per se, just an album that fits together perfectly. And I can appreciate the fact that instead of writing 4-5 good songs and than a bunch of other tracks just to throw on there just to call it a full length, these guys really sat down, took the time and wrote an album that sounds like a focused effort.
From the hanging chords in the opening of "Chelsea" to the goose bump inducing sing along at the end of "And Another Thing..." there isn't a moment or track throughout all eleven songs that will have you itching to press forward, not one.
At first I wasn't sure about the recording, I thought the drum tone was a bit too "round" and everything seemed a little too laid back for my tastes. Boy did I shove my foot in my mouth after some more listens. The recording sounds extremely natural, like they just mic'ed up the instruments and just let the musicians do their thing. And you could say that for the album itself, you just have to give it a chance to grow on you because if you have any sense of musical taste, it will.
The photography and art design which were all handled by Bruno Guerreiro looks just breathtaking. Anyone that's from Philadelphia will be able to tell the picture was taken from a set of row houses in the city. The way the sky wraps around the front and back of the digipack looks damn good. The little things throughout like how they tweaked around the barcode on the back cover help add to the overall layout. The accompanying booklet is a six page treat for the eyes. On every other page there is a picture that corresponds with the lyrics on the page, the one with the passengers on SEPTA's EL with eyes blanked out, tie in nicely to the song "Motion Sickness". Another great but little detail that helps make this layout is how certain words in the lyrics are highlighted in a different color as if to tell the listener it's like speaking aloud and than speaking to yourself inside your head.
Rating: 4/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Island Living, And Another Thing... and Motion Sickness
Synopsis: Rarely does a band of this nature strike a chord with me and but their debut full length did. For their sophomore release they have traded in their intense bursts for more cohesive, streamlined song writing which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just doesn't have the energy that "Passion Waits As The Program Keeps Going, which for me made that album so great. With that said, this album is still ahead head and shoulders above its peers. Hopefully this album will open the doors that "Passion..." should've. Definitely interested to see what these guys have up their sleeve for future releases.
Go to the band's myspace to check out some songs, click here.. If you like what you hear make the purchase through the Jumpstart Records