Converge
Jane Doe


5.0
classic

Review

by IsItLuck? EMERITUS
November 6th, 2007 | 19172 replies


Release Date: 2001 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Converge create an unforgettable masterpiece.

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 abrasive songs, "Concubine" and "Fault and Fracture." Both songs are equally menacing, but have their own defining moment. “Concubine” is initiated with an infectious slapping-like guitar riff. From there on, the pace is feverishly aggressive. Meticulous guitar riffs in "Fault an Fracture," 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 they are businessmen when it comes to their songwriting. And while the first two songs may have initiated a thought that this album was overwhelmingly relentless, the pace changes quickly with "Distance and Meaning" and "Hell to Pay." " 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 recorded. 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 pedestal than metalcore legends like Botch. Lyrically, Bannon is remarkable as "The Broken Vow" ends with the beautiful repetitive line, 'I'll take my love to the grave' until the 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? After all, "Thaw" and "Phoenix in Flight" continue to shape this album into the absolute classic album that it is. It is perfect, especially after their most dynamic song yet.

"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. Every element combines to create an epic result. 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 each track. 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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Comments:Add a Comment 
iamrockzorz
November 7th 2007


1029 Comments


I just don't "get it"

Its too heavy for me.

south_of_heaven 11
November 7th 2007


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

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


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 :D

Thor
November 7th 2007


10357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I like this album but I have no idea what to rate it.

Tyler
Emeritus
November 7th 2007


7927 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Actually lewis was joking, someone posted that in the metalcore thread.

south_of_heaven 11
November 7th 2007


5614 Comments

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

Thor
November 7th 2007


10357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

6/5 amirite


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.

south_of_heaven 11
November 7th 2007


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

fuck you and your heresy John!

Tyler
Emeritus
November 7th 2007


7927 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

fuck slayer and their lack of good catching up with them

Commortus
November 7th 2007


237 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

[quote=Thor]I can't give it a 5 because I hated it at first.[/quote]

That's a pretty stupid way of looking at it.

Thor
November 7th 2007


10357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Not really. I can't give a 5 to an album I thoroughly disliked at first.

Tyler
Emeritus
November 7th 2007


7927 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

5s are reserved to Opeth, Children of Bodom and Arsis only, duuuuuuh

Tyler
Emeritus
November 7th 2007


7927 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Albums you give a 5 to instantly are usually a lot shallower than you'd like to admit.

Commortus
November 7th 2007


237 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

I didn't like any of my five star albums on first listen.

I hated Jane Doe for awhile.

Thor
November 7th 2007


10357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I mean telling me how I should rate albums is stupid.

Commortus
November 7th 2007


237 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

No, the way that you rate albums is stupid. If you only give out fives to albums you like on first listen, you'll only give out fives to accessible albums. And visionary works of art, if you want to be pretentious about it, aren't accessible.

Either way, your musical opinions are now null and void in my eyes.

Yyy
November 7th 2007


289 Comments


~~~~~~ hey guys i edited this post becuase the guy above me made one before me and it made my post not work ~~~~~~This Message Edited On 11.06.07

Thor
November 7th 2007


10357 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

That's cuz I haven't already given this album a 5 duhhhh



No, the way that you rate albums is stupid. If you only give out fives to albums you like on first listen, you'll only give out fives to accessible albums. And visionary works of art, if you want to be pretentious about it, aren't accessible.



Either way, your musical opinions are now null and void in my eyes.


I mean that's not the only way I rate albums, but it's an example. Horray for being elitist early!This Message Edited On 11.06.07

Tyler
Emeritus
November 7th 2007


7927 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

hooray for being shallow?

iarescientists
November 7th 2007


5865 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

shouldn't you be modding some news

Yyy
November 7th 2007


289 Comments


THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE WAY TO RATE ALBUMSThis Message Edited On 11.06.07



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