Search - Chocolate U.S.A. :: All Jets Gonna Fall Today

Like the kid brother who always amazed you

Shawn St John | Houston, TX | 05/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's easy to dismiss this band as nothing but gifted high school pranksters, and their albums as nothing but compilations of the results of silly afterschool noodlings (especially this one--"Smoke Machine" sounded somehow more conceptual and careful in its childishness). But as you listen to their work, you realize these guys have real heart, and are much more advanced musically, emotionally and intellectually than they initially led you te believe. "Two Dogs" is a deceptively childish love song. "All Jets Are Gonna Fall" predicts the success of the Polyphonic Spree. "Kriss Ford" mixes a disco beat with a lovelorn fiddle and both country and wah wah guitar. And running throughout is a narrative created by running commentary provided by tape recorded post cards from (I presume) an elderly relative, found recordings, prank calls, etc. The effect is to create a work that is more than just a musical experience. It's a very personal post card from a friendly and mischievous kid too smart and talented for his own good. Mixed with the personal, locked in your bedroom sound is an open, friendly, communal feel. One gets the sense that this guy is so well-liked he got pretty much everyone in his school to help him make an album, or at least show up at the concerts. The band's second album, "Smoke Machine" is actually concious of the high school geek theme, and uses it to good effect. But All Jets finds the band totally unaware of themselves and just having fun. Or are they? Digging deeper, one finds an understanding of the weightier side of life, before the subject turns back to kid stuff. Smoke Machine" can be taken more seriously, and has more consistently good songs and a hipper lo-fi sound, but cannot compare to the fun to be had listening to "All Jets"."

All I ever wanted to do....

michele martin | NYC-Boston (depends on the weekend) | 03/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"11 years have passed since the day I first heard Julian and not a day goes by that I don't feel nostalgic for the Tampa Bay area music scene circa early 90's. So many greatthings started there. These songs are some of them. While these songs hold special memories for me having been there, I hope that you will buy one of these c.d.'s inorder to start your own memories with the one and only "miss america" as your sound track. Fun with alot of depth behind the wackiness.... think ween/ dead milkmen/ they might be giants/ camper van beethovan... Julian went onto Nuetral Milk Hotel and The Music Tapes. You will truly enjoy this."