Album review: Jet W. Lee's Who Shall Remain Shameless
On Friday, Feb. 5, Jet W. Lee joins the slew of local artists who have had recent album releases with the (second) release party for their debut LP Who Shall Remain Shameless.
With the band citing dual "citizenship" between Chicago and Champaign, the Mike ‘n' Molly's celebration will be the official C-U release for the ten-track album. The show starts at 10 p.m., and cover is $5. Joined by Chicago's The Safes and C-U locals JigGsaw, Who Shall Remain Shameless will be available for purchase on both vinyl and digital download — an increasingly common combination given the diminishing popularity of CDs.
When listening to an album for the first time, particularly if the artist is unfamiliar to me, I try not to read too heavily into the band's influences and favorite acts for fear of playing a game of "spot the tribute to (insert band name here)" and missing the sound of the artist themselves. And with Who Shall Remain Shameless, I am glad I was able to set preconceived notions aside. While on the one hand, I can entirely grasp the elements of Neil Young inspired, country-tinged rock — harmonica and all — on tracks like "Starry State of Mind" and "When Beauty Met The Blues," I found myself more drawn to a vibe of '80s alternative rock a la Husker Du or The Replacements as in opener "Anticipation High."
With vinyl as the format of choice for the initial release, Who Shall Remain Shameless has a definitive Side A and Side B and plays as such. Whereas Side A (tracks 1-5) is upbeat and quick, filled with repetitive, catchy choruses and memorable guitar parts — save for "Stay Thin," possibly the heaviest track on the album — Side B (tracks 6-10) takes a more mellow route, recalling the previously mentioned elements of classic rock. While the first opening three tracks are by no means throwaways, my personal favorite is what follows in track 4, "New Mexico." Over the course of the four-minute number, vocalist Jesse W. Johnson's drawl calls to mind R.E.M.-era Michael Stipe while the surprisingly infectious harmonies of Johnson and Patrick Mangan beckon to be "shown the way." Along with the instrumental heavy closer "Amelia," the two tracks are standouts on an already positive album.
To put it simply, Jet W. Lee's Who Shall Remain Shameless is a solid work of straightforward rock from the talented duo of Jesse W. Johnson and Patrick Mangan. Though the group has since been joined by bassist Pierre Achille, credit must be paid where it is due to the duo for the recorded output. Who Shall Remain Shameless works because of, not in spite of, a lack of frills and exaggerations, remaining true to a credible format of drum, bass and guitar (and harmonica!) Having yet to have caught the group live, I look forward to hearing the tracks from the group as a three-piece at Mike ‘n' Molly's on Friday night.
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Indeed, I may also say that some may prefer pop music but some may also like rock music—thus rock music is more alive and cool. Since then, we have lots of good rock bands here, then again we’ll not be compromised and may not be running for…
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The link has been updated. Thanks for alerting us.
This also explains why I was starting to think Roses & Sake was a group of strange pagans from Vancouver. This is when it pays to be a local. My apologies to the true Roses & Sake, we’ll fix this ASAP!
Ahh, shame on me. I grabbed it directly off of Mike ‘N Molly’s website. I’ll see if I can’t get it corrected on here (and maybe pass along the word to them as well). Thank you, observant reader!
I’m with Brigham regarding the Acrylics set. Very XX-ish. Very good.
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Everyband in CU - shutup faggot at least this writer is speaking for himself, at least he has a real opinion you spineless capslock drunk fuck. sorry, anyways… what’s good, what’s bad. what’s rock, what’s indie. what’s real what’s not. In 2010, never has this been more…
Indeed, I may also say that some may prefer pop music but some may also like rock music—thus rock music is more alive and cool. Since then, we have lots of good rock bands here, then again we’ll not be compromised and may not be running for…
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WE’RE SORRY JOHN WE’LL TRY HARDER
There went the neighborhood.
Now all you need is large Marge and the picture is complete! Congratulations Tony. I can’t wait. -Manna
I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively. Gold Coins
I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively. Gold
If you’re bored than you’re boring…damn I must be boring too!
...Papa Bear was applauding.
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Very sad I’ll have to miss this. It sounds sexy as hell & I’ll look forward to the recap.
Doug, I absolutely agree. I think this might have come across focused on rock because, as you say, rock was the 90s, and we had some innovative rock bands here then. But what I’m really trying to get at is that there’s no way Dirty Projectors, Liars…
John, I’m not sure that the current climate for indie rock stardom is all that favorable for bands who simply rock out. Most of the bands doing it well that are also popular have been around for a while and have a tested identity (I’m thinking Spoon…
Keep us posted on the latter!
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Everyband in CU - shutup faggot at least this writer is speaking for himself, at least he has a real opinion you spineless capslock drunk fuck. sorry, anyways… what’s good, what’s bad. what’s rock, what’s indie. what’s real what’s not. In 2010, never has this been more…