A bit of a shame this, since we know it’s going to be their last release. So who shot JR? Well their website tells us this: ‘Along the way it has been harder for the members involved to have the same agenda, especially when it comes to the touring aspect of being in JR Ewing. Being away from our loved ones for months only to return home to a pile of bills we couldn’t pay has proven to be a challenging ordeal, which can make any man unhappy.’
A big fucking shame. Anyway, ‘Maelstrom’ is a strong record. Dim Mak are making this release available stateside which Columbia/Sony BMG clearly haven’t managed; it’s been around since last year in their native Norway so hardline fans have probably already got it. For those of you unversed in the ways of JR, well they play that scandiwegian brand of punk rock hardcore that’s a bit messy sounding, has vocals way back in the mix and is alot more detailed than many of their countrymen. It’s still raw but not as uncooked and bloody as their previous releases, in particular the seminal ‘Ride Paranoia’ from 2003.
‘For We Are Dead’ is a great melodic slower track along with the pondering ‘Take A Hint’, while ‘Nihilist Elitist’ bombs along in their older style of brash layered hardcore. There’s alot of distorted angst interspersed with upbeat clap-alongs, then reverting to noisy mumbling and some inspiringly different song structures. This isn’t background music by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s their fullest release of an 8 year career, so enjoy it while they still exist.
Progressive, inspiring, resoundingly european and disheartening that it’s their final encore.
Dim Mak Records
www.thejrewing.com
Si.