Greg Dona
03/02/06, 05:57 PM
In the early days of our English educations papers had definite limits in regard to length. Most assignments ranged between one and two pages, double-spaced, and in twelve point font. Narrowing the margins, using and Arial as opposed to Times New Roman font, and spacing the ultra greedy two and a half lines instead of the standard two bought you a few more inches of low-quality writing to turn in. In later educational stages we learned that, in theory at least, quality came above quantity when being assessed by a professor. Junius have mastered this concept.
Blood is Bright flows impeccably from beginning to end, through songs short and long alike. [The Annunciation], an ever appropriate name for an album’s introductory piece, runs a miniscule and tranquil 36 seconds and flows effortlessly into the title track, “Blood is Bright.” The two merge so impressively that upon a casual first listen their seamlessness passes for a single song. Dark undertones and deep, reverberating vocal tracks materialize a gothic aura about the whole of the record. At times lead singer Joseph Martinez channels Interpol-esque moans onto the disc, adding to the omnipresent smooth overall sound throughout. “A Word Could Kill Her” sounds like a passive, calmer track from A Fire Inside’s “Art of Drowning” with lower, more viscous, and down tempo singing. “In the Hearts of Titans” exhibits Junius’ untested patience, spanning six minutes, the vast majority of that time sans true vocals with decipherable lyrics. “At the Edge of Decay,” the ultimate work for the EP, allows for the release of a previously untapped lighter side to Junius. Still undyingly relaxed and laidback, the group utilizes the track as one last opportunity to show off their uncanny abilities to allow each and every sound to strain and flow just the right length of time before cutting off and releasing into yet another elongated note.
On Blood is Bright Junius perfects a true exercise in patience and timing. Noises flow the perfect amount of time before dying, and despite gaudy song lengths, no track runs unnecessarily long. A beautiful merge between the two aforementioned comparisons, A.F.I. and Interpol, Junius’ Blood is Bright is capable of appealing to multiple audiences. The serenity of this album certainly might catapult them into the realm of the most revered bands in their genre.
Blood is Bright flows impeccably from beginning to end, through songs short and long alike. [The Annunciation], an ever appropriate name for an album’s introductory piece, runs a miniscule and tranquil 36 seconds and flows effortlessly into the title track, “Blood is Bright.” The two merge so impressively that upon a casual first listen their seamlessness passes for a single song. Dark undertones and deep, reverberating vocal tracks materialize a gothic aura about the whole of the record. At times lead singer Joseph Martinez channels Interpol-esque moans onto the disc, adding to the omnipresent smooth overall sound throughout. “A Word Could Kill Her” sounds like a passive, calmer track from A Fire Inside’s “Art of Drowning” with lower, more viscous, and down tempo singing. “In the Hearts of Titans” exhibits Junius’ untested patience, spanning six minutes, the vast majority of that time sans true vocals with decipherable lyrics. “At the Edge of Decay,” the ultimate work for the EP, allows for the release of a previously untapped lighter side to Junius. Still undyingly relaxed and laidback, the group utilizes the track as one last opportunity to show off their uncanny abilities to allow each and every sound to strain and flow just the right length of time before cutting off and releasing into yet another elongated note.
On Blood is Bright Junius perfects a true exercise in patience and timing. Noises flow the perfect amount of time before dying, and despite gaudy song lengths, no track runs unnecessarily long. A beautiful merge between the two aforementioned comparisons, A.F.I. and Interpol, Junius’ Blood is Bright is capable of appealing to multiple audiences. The serenity of this album certainly might catapult them into the realm of the most revered bands in their genre.