Jack Off Jill Album: “Clear Hearts Grey Flowers”

I'd never really heard of Jack Off Jill before a friend of mine recommended this album, but I'm quickly becoming a fan. JoJ takes a bonafide metal approach - not Korn-ish "nu-metal" or the like - and makes it catchy and tuneful. My favorite tracks here are "Strawberry Gashes" and "Nazi Halo" with their relentless barre chord wall of sound and angry screaming (it's really more melodic and engaging than the words "angry screaming" would hint at). The musicianship of the entire seems to have suddenly grown by leaps and bounds from their previous album, which is also a compliment to Jessicka's songwriting and band leadership talents.

Since I'm a man, most of the gynocentric lyrics examining the role women are forced to play are, frankly, not really something I can relate to. However, Jessicka's anger is not misdirected, and somehow manages to avoid the cliche fest it could have easily become.

Jessicka said it best during track 7, 'Vivica,' when she sings, "The apple falls far from the tree." The difference between this CD and the last one (Sexless Demons and Scars) is amazing.

The last CD was pretty good, but alot of the lyrics were sketchy at best. (My Cat is a pussy superstar? Come on...) But all the lyrics on this CD are very solid, and very true. I love the difference in music, as well. You would have never heard anything like Vivica or Strawberry Gashes on Sexless Demons and Scars.

Truly, this is a wonderful album in it's own right, from the very beginning, when you hear the piano intro that ended 'Angels F*ck, Devils Kiss' on the last album, until you hear track 66, Love Song. When I Am Queen is just the perfect way to kick off the album, and it only gets better (Except for Underjoyed, that one rubbed me the wrong way for some reason).

The best songs along the ride are Strawberry Gashes, Vivica, and Star No Star. Strawberry Gashes wonderfully ties in awesome guitar riffs with Jessicka's voice at it's most beautiful, with great lyrics as well. Vivica is much slower, and I love it when bands can pull off tying in an acoustic guitar like Jack Off Jill does here. Again, I love the lyrics. Finally, Star No Star is one of the better songs on the album, and is at a bit of a slower pace than much of the album. Still, it all comes together very well.

Clear Hearts Grey Flowers is a beautiful way to end the era of Jack Off Jill (Don't be sad, there's still Scarling), and everyone should buy this album. NO EXCUSES!

Unlike their earlier work everything has come together in this album. The bleak lyrics, the liquid voice of the singer, the breathy breaks and peaks and valleys in the intensity of the music is perfect. The mood is wicked. A great album to put on late at night as you are cruising through the city after all the humans have gone to bed. A must have.

I bought this cd about a year ago in my local store. A great buy for you JOJ fans! This cd is the best one so far then any other JOJ cd. It shows their true self threw every song that they put on. There is no song that I hate in the album because there all just too good.

-Katie

I love this CD. One listen and I was totally hooked. After listening to the samples on amazon I waited impatiently for a month until I was given this CD as a birthday present. I've only had it a few days, but I have a feeling that the more I listen to it, the more I'll love it, as it gets better each time. The songs are much more mature, displaying harrowing lyrics and incredible musicianship. Each song is different, and I can honestly say that there is not a bad song on the album. My favourites at the moment are 'When I am Queen', 'Nazi Halo', 'Star No Star' and 'Surgery'. The whole album seems like a piece of art, with the beautifully painted and thought out album cover, and the lyrics manual inside. Too many CDs now seem cheap and tacky, or plain boring, but the album art and concept really fits in with the music. The songs have a great flow from each one to the next, but yet no song sounds the same.

Oh yeah, and just so you know...I have read lots of reviews of this CD, but not a single bad review. Sold yet?