Четверг 9 Авг 2007, 20:09

I've been listening to the Jesu's Discography, and at the ending i realised the
power that music gave to the artists for i could perceive the changes in their life time.

In this case, i've listened to Heart Ache (2004), Jesu (2005), Silver (2006) and ended with Conqueror (2007).

The first album is amazing, chaotic strengths crumbleded to a near psychotic soundtrack. Consisting in 2 songs that extended each for 20 mins (+-)

In Jesu the storm is slowly passing at large.

Silver bought a new motion, but a cleaver one.

With the first track, the homonym track, Silver, sort of came as expected: a drone doom song, with a perceptible golden touch from the genius behind Jesu.

Star, on the other hand, sets the pace for a run, a run towards a new change in life, bringing me a awkward happiness.

Then it drops all hopes with Wolves. The slow (not extreme-doom-slow) rhythms came as a reminder of the futility of life.
I like how he questions morality. Not at his choices, but at what made him choose or even set the frame around his actions. we all choose with our feelings, rationale or faith, but to be aware of made us choose/not choose is the real question. I.e., where did came the notion of such an action was right/wrong? Did it came from our tradition? Or self neglected intellect? Had i any motive to choose between? Or even worse, did i made that choice based on a hatred towards the other one?
I also loved the intense and immersive visual effect from the verses

" Bitter daylight
Hangs above us with the rain"

The following last three tracks, Dead Eyes, Silver (Original Beats) and Wolves (Original Mix) give me time to think over, and rejoice on the sounds.

With Conqueror, one could really sit back and stare at the end of life, for it seemed that time it self has gone past by us. Weightless and Horizontal, track nº4, is a perfect example of that feeling. The hypnotic drums were betting until the sound of life has faded away.

But the album did not start with the end. The first track, Conqueror, has that ongoing feeling of Hope, of power against the future, or at least, with power to make a change. It made me feel like i could go on forever and die of old age, being always myself, with memories of a self made past. As if life is simple, and i could just forget the torments and anguish of a vague life.

Then, in Old Year, amid warm verses came the question:

"Are we worth saving?

Are you worth saving?
Is this how it's always going to be…? "

Another note about Weightless and Horizontal: before i read the lyrics, i've always thought that the chorus "try not to lose yourself" was so in-congruent with the rest of the music. Only then i came to realise that it came from a hopeless source, a man who lost his strength to hold on to the things he believed was sacred. whether this applies to Justin or not, i do not know or care. Although i can affirmatively say that, here, he sings with an impressive feeling and tone.

Brighteyes, came as a late bloomer. The softness of the vocals entangled my senses, while the instrumental part kept my heart beat steady. It reminded me of a near future, lost in a dreamless adult life, full of needs and of nothingness. Was only later that i found the lyrics and the refrain was matching:

those eyes be so dull

Only now i came to realise that my utmost fear is being of old age. No wonder my days pass with such a harsh menace. This is me with life, as one fights with Cerberus' sister.

It begrimes by Mother Earth and ends gently with Stanlow. The windy moonless night with compassing beating doors and shaking windows composed the eerie summer dream. This music has a feeling i remember being untapped by NIN - The Day the World Went Away, but after all these years of Dark Music, hearing this song truly languishes my inner peace.

BTW, Justin Broadrick (vocals) – Other members of the band are Ted Parsons(who has been the drummer for Prong, Swans and Killing Joke) and Dairumid Dalton (former FINAL bassist ) – said this about the album in a interview with MTV :

"The bleakness is inherent, and I don't think it's something that can ever be removed from my music. No matter how much I explore melody, that's something I'll never shake off."

After that i needed something lively, as i was working (too) late, so Cibo Matto came as an obvious indie rock follower.