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Full Review | User Ratings (368) |
| Summary: Converge create a masterpiece with their album Jane Doe, which is an album that people who embrace it, will not forget it. |
Jane Doe is often used describe a person of anonymity. People use it to mask their identity whether it be the female (Jane Doe) or male (John Doe) version. Converge used a specific Jane Doe that led to an album for the ages. This album is tacky, with intelligent lyrics that create a story about a girl that once was something, and now is nothing. For instance, “Fault and Fracture” are the holes and gaps in the relationship in which there are the occasional fight or argument. “Distance and Meaning” is what happens when time is spent apart from one another and you find out more about yourself and your partner. “The Broken Vows” is like the promises that were made but never kept. “Thaw” is the time after the relationship where they are just getting over the whole thing and then end it with a most perfect song “Jane Doe” which expresses that this once love is just some other person, not even remotely important. They are simply just a figure of nothing. An album about someone who is nothing sure does pack a lot of something.
Jane Doe begins with two of Converge’s most grind influenced songs, "Concubine" and "Fault and Fracture." Both songs are equally aggressive, but have their own defining moment. “Concubine” is initiated with an infectious Les Claypool-like slapping guitar riff. From there on, the pace is aggressive and feverish. Now, after the initial rush of adrenaline, “Fault and Fracture” comes from behind and kicks you straight in the face once again. Meticulous guitar riffs provided by Kurt Ballou and intricate drumming highlight the song over brutally coarse vocal work. If "Fault and Fracture" tells anything about Jane Doe, it is that there is one hell of a ride to come.
While the first two songs may have initiated a thought that this album was relentless, the pace changes quickly with "Distance and Meaning" and "Hell to Pay." Comparing the two, "Distance and Meaning" has a notch over "Hell to Pay," simply because it is a much more interesting song instrumentally and vocally. Distance and Meaning has a somewhat relaxed verse with a chorus that energy is pulsating off. On the other hand, Hell to Pay is quite possibly the slowest song that Converge have ever released. It provides a needed break for the forthcoming songs.
"Homewrecker," "The Broken Vow," and "Bitter and Then Some" are some of Converge's pinnacle songs. Instead of continuing with a true metal approach to the album, "Homewrecker" sounds more like a hardcore/punk song. It is this versatility that put Converge on higher plateau than metalcore legends like Botch. Lyrically, Bannon is just getting warmed up. "The Broken Vow" ends with a cynical repetition singing, 'I'll take my love to the grave' until times end. The short-lived "Bitter and Then Some" continues the assault of well defined riffs and fills on top of choatically fitting vocals. Would you expect anything less from Jane Doe?
I could talk continuously about "Heaven In Her Arms," "Phoenix In Flight," "Thaw," and "Phoenix In Flames" but that would simply become nauseatingly repetitive. If there is anything to be said, it is that with every song comes a new nook to find something that Converge did to make listeners shit their pants. But perhaps the biggest jaw dropping song has yet to come. For what it's worth, if a Converge song is eleven-plus minutes, it's bound to be something to turn your head.
"Jane Doe." Perhaps the most fitting and complete closer to any album in this decade. The sum of the parts is riddled with endurance and constant energy (something that isn't new to the album) that makes it perhaps the most complete song on the album. Bannon's vocals are breathtaking, the guitars are huge and boisterous. Everything combines into a mass of glory. Behind it all, the line 'I want out' is softly sung as the chorus in what is a plea to escape, an escape from the album, an escape from Jane Doe. As the song ends, a guitar riff starts at about the nine minute mark that builds layers upon layers of the same riff. The ending is a complete masterpiece, a truly terrific buildup to end such a masterpiece of an album that ends with the final words spoken, reciting, 'Run on girl, run on.'
Few albums have such a fulfilling effect after listening to, especially within this genre. From start to finish, Jane Doe is full of liveliness and astonishing variations among songs. This album left me wanting more and more of what Converge was, and what they had to offer. One would figure if they could produce this masterpiece, what they would come up with next would just as pleasurable. Converge’s work Jane Doe altered a genre and the musicians that followed. Maybe Jane Doe is not so anonymous after all.
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Album Rating: 5
It sounds like jeff hanneman sold the guitarist all the riffs he wrote from his teenage years, and never used.
To me, its dirty thrash metal.
nah but really good review and album is awesome
This Message Edited On 11.06.07
Digging: Shugo Tokumaru - Night Piece | | | Album Rating: 5
where did my comments go?!>!!?
Digging: Converge - Jane Doe | | | Album Rating: 5 | Sound Off
Why did you delete every good piece of conversation about this album.
Digging: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - The Swell Season | | | Album Rating: 5
I just don't "get it"
Its too heavy for me.
Digging: As the Sun Sets - 7744 | | | Album Rating: 5
too bad that was rarely discussed as far as Jane Doe was concerned.
This Message Edited On 11.06.07
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Quote:
It sounds like jeff hanneman sold the guitarist all the riffs he wrote from his teenage years, and never used.
To me, its dirty thrash metal.
nah but really good review and album is awesome
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Wow...actually, I'm impressed that you said this (in a non-sarcastic way). Of the two guitarists in Slayer, Jeff is much more influenced by punk/hardcore. If you would've said Kerry King, I would've called you an idiot.
I'm proud of you Lewis 
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
I like this album but I have no idea what to rate it.
Digging: Dillinger Escape Plan - Miss Machine | | | Album Rating: 5
6/5 amirite
| | | Album Rating: 5
Quote:
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Originally Posted by soh
Wow...actually, I'm impressed that you said this (in a non-sarcastic way). Of the two guitarists in Slayer, Jeff is much more influenced by punk/hardcore. If you would've said Kerry King, I would've called you an idiot.
I'm proud of you Lewis
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lol
| | | Album Rating: 5
Actually lewis was joking, someone posted that in the metalcore thread.
Digging: Quincy Jones - Walking in Space | | | Album Rating: 2.5
Edit: Oh. I was under the assumption that he actually knew the influences that Jeff and Kerry have.
This Message Edited On 11.06.07
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
I can't give it a 5 because I hated it at first. It's definitely grown on me alot though.
First and last tracks are definitely the best.
| | | Album Rating: 5 | Sound Off
yes no one actually likes slayer anymore
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
**** you and your heresy John!
| | | Album Rating: 5
**** slayer and their lack of good catching up with them
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
**** you and your pedophile avatar!
| | | Album Rating: 5
why is it pedophelic? it's just two girls...it's a pretty famous picture at that.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Dude I just watched Law and Order: SVU, cut me some slack, ight?
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Originally Posted by Thor
I can't give it a 5 because I hated it at first.
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That's a pretty stupid way of looking at it.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Not really. I can't give a 5 to an album I thoroughly disliked at first.
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