Converge
Jane Doe


5.0
classic

Review

by chambered89 USER (66 Reviews)
September 1st, 2010 | 216 replies


Release Date: 2001 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Converge lay it all out on the line and end up recording one of the best albums of the 2000's

When listening to Jane Doe in full, one can't help but to appreciate the non-stop pounding ones ears obtain from the onslaught. Every inch of this album is layered with brilliance; brilliant guitaring, brilliant song structures that mix it up even when the sound doesn't, and brilliant lyrics even if they are completely indecipherable. Jane Doe packs a mean punch; a metalcore record that ingeniously mixes styles of punk and grind that matches intensity with any other album ever made. Other bands of this similar aesthetic attempt to create this type of aggression and terrible beauty, but ultimately fall flat to the standards set by this remarkable jrouney into the heart of a tortured man.

"Concubine" shows what you're in for immediately with Kurt Ballou's signature dissonance shining through until the song enters at a frantic pace. Drums thunderously move along fast under the harsh discontent of Jacob Bannon's otherworldy yells and Ballou's tasteful riffs. While the album never really lets you go, the brilliance in Jane Doe is that each song is outstanding on its own when taken out of the context of the album because each song is composed differently, albeit using the same cacophonic aesthetic throughout. You can choose to let jane doe brutalize you entirely by daring to go from "Concubine" to the title track, or you may choose to selectively destroy your ear drums with maybe the hard punk "Homewrecker" (complete with a fabulous chorus that will send you into the heavens) or the slightly slowed down yet heavy as hell "Hell To Pay". The latter focuses more on the excellent bass playing of Nate Newton rather than letting Ballou lead the songs charge like in the rest of the album. Even the quick burst of "Phoenix In Flames" is strong on its own accord regardless if it is set up nicely by its longer and more thought out counterpart, "Phoenix In Flight".

All that doesn't really prepare you for the ending track however, the properly titled "Jane Doe", which is arguably one of the best songs of the past decade. Huge guitars that correlate well with the drumming keep you on the edge of a cliff throughout its ride, and the sense of urgency and fear of what is around the corner make this beginning section of the song outstanding. despite its multiple parts, the song flows very well; so well, in fact, that the crushing ending is completely shocking, even if it is your 100th play through the song. Giant screams of "run on girl, run on" only begin this ultimate ending, where guitars and bass swirl around a pulsating bass drum and constant cymbal work, which hyperbole aside, is the sonic equivalent of the end of the universe. It's what makes Jane Doe so amazing in the first place; to have an album pound you into submission throughout its entire run time, only to end on an even more crushing note leaves you literally gasping for air after the ending slowly dissipates into silence.

There is no time to catch your breath on Jane Doe, no time to wonder about what is actually going on inside your headphones, no time to dissect and realize. There is only love, only emotion to be found here, the ultimate release of ones self-enclosed demons. The amount of precision and thought put into this album is only engulfed by its own fury. Jane Doe is a monster that cannot be caged, it is the moment where you let everything go and rely on the only thing that makes you human in the first place; passion. Incredible.



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user ratings (5161)
4.4
superb
other reviews of this album
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Comments:Add a Comment 
Counterfeit
September 1st 2010


17836 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Another one of these? lol

Maniac!
September 1st 2010


28551 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I should neg just because it's a Jane Doe review. Well written, though it basically says what everyone else does

Counterfeit
September 1st 2010


17836 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Was a good review. I posd.

Also,

jane doe


capitalize and italicize.

NeutralThunder12
September 1st 2010


8742 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

this did need another 5 review

Obfuscation24
September 1st 2010


3938 Comments


remarkable jrouney into the heart of a tortured man.

journey*

Nice review besides that huge mistake ;)
pos'd

Counterfeit
September 1st 2010


17836 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

That's in the 2nd paragraph in teh middle.



@Maniac, bullshit, mines completely original ; )

saucy
September 1st 2010


347 Comments


people rate jane doe a 5?

jesusjuice1179
September 1st 2010


1784 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

i've listened to this album 20 times and i still don't get what everyone sees in it

Maniac!
September 1st 2010


28551 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I will pos and bump the hell out of any review that gives You Fail Me a 5 and is serious

Counterfeit
September 1st 2010


17836 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I'm on it Maniac

Phrike
September 1st 2010


1691 Comments


chambered is cool will pos

Maniac!
September 1st 2010


28551 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

You don't think it is a 5, so don't

NeutralThunder12
September 1st 2010


8742 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

You Fail Me is not a 5

Zip
September 1st 2010


5312 Comments


Must unncessary review. EVER.

Counterfeit
September 1st 2010


17836 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

But i want someone bumping my review non stop so i dont have to

Enotron
September 1st 2010


7695 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

http://www.mediafire.com/?laep78tt72y55rs



might as well celebrate this review with a sample of my upcoming jane doe(the remix!) project





bloc
September 1st 2010


70683 Comments


Band sucks

Sowing
Moderator
September 1st 2010


44512 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

oh, hey look guys, a jane doe review



pos'd because it is well written though

BigHans
September 1st 2010


30959 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Chambered is on a reviewing binge lately.

fr33convict
September 1st 2010


11723 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

oh, hey look guys, a jane doe review





and it's a 5 how rare.



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