Labels: Jade Tree Records
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Ah, the new Joan of Arc. Always guaranteed to create a stir. Love “em or hate “em, at least they do something that gets people talking.
This record is well, minimal. Simple guitars, layered noises, vocals and backing vocals. Is it an improvement on what they’ve done already? No. It’s not as good as the first two records, but yes, it is far more consistent than that last album they did. No stupid tracks on this where Tim wails over a piano about Mr James and fuckin’ Chicago. My goodness, was that a horrible song. About as baffling as they get here is on “As Black Pants Make Cats Hairs Appear”, where Kinsella (Tim) “sings’ whilst someone breaks glass. Then it just slinks off into some subtle indie-jazz noodlings. And that’s what you can expect on this album, creative yet simple indie post-rock that doesn’t attempt to invoke pop melodies, nor cross the boundaries of the unlistenable. Kinsella (Mike) is back to provide his impressive drumming, shame he had to quit American Football, but he really does a great job on this record of keeping the rhythms and music varied when he’s called upon to do his duty. At other times, the Arc pluck acoustic guitar and add those expected sound effects. Over the top of this, Kinsella (Tim) keeps his hopelessly awful vocals to a mininum annoyance level, and just drifts a long with the music, not even trying to piss you off. Believe it! I had a hard time coming to terms with that fact too. Yes, the lyrics are still indecipherable, but what the heck, there are some moments of genius on this record such as when the warm strings kick in to subtly nudge “Me and America” to it’s conclusion, whilst Kinsella (Tim) sings in tune for a while. Shocking behaviour!
Sure, the Arc are hardly extreme or challenging, but they are definitely as enjoyable as ever on this record. They haven’t made a bad album yet in my mind, despite some miscreant activities on that last record they made, but this one just enhances their reputation. Very much worthy of your time. Now all Jade Tree has to do is get Civil War to record an album and we’ll all be happy.