Klatzke
01/23/09, 07:25 AM
Janus - Red Light Return
Release Date: November 18, 2008
Record Label: Level It
There are a few bands that, given the opportunity, could take the radio by storm. Janus is a perfect example of this type of band. If they were given the chance, and played on some larger radio stations alongside all of our alternative "favorites" (sound-alikes), they could earn themselves hordes of fans.
I know everyone has their one radio-rock band that they just love, however hard it is to admit. I tend to be partial to Breaking Benjamin, as well as Jared Leto's half-cooked concept, 30 Seconds to Mars. Janus has grabbed all of those things that make these radio-ready bands such a hit and combined them, however indirectly, to create Red Right Return.
Okay, maybe the previous sentence is misleading. They're actually more towards the progressive (and/or experimental) side of the alternative spectrum, and stylistically, they're very much like 30 Seconds to Mars. However, you can be sure that if Leto's crew had released this album initially there would be much less hate for them. They've also got a quality that reminds me quite a bit of Evans Blue's jams. I think this mainly has to do with Janus' vocalist's tendency to sound like him a bit during those powerful choruses and bombastic verses where their vocalist gets that soaring quality going that Evan's Blue's Kevin Matisyn was so adept at. Their instrumentation is pretty tight throughout. The guitarists don't really shine above the vocals, but Janus' synth work more than makes up for it in the scheme of things. They utilize a synth more often than not, and in many places it gives the tracks an anthemic feel.
For some reason, every review I read about this band make them out to be "metal." Well, they aren't. I'm not sure if that's by preference of the band, or otherwise, but they rarely play anything heavier than a riff you'd expect out of 30 Seconds to Mars. When they do, they can play it to a "t" and they nail the whole charging power-riff in the end of "Skin Deep" and a couple of other tracks, but for the most part, they stay at a moderate range as far as heaviness goes. The screaming, as well, is few and far between, though it is pretty sweet in the few places where they do use it.
Red Right Return is progressive alternative in top form. While there are times when you may say "Hey.. that sounds like," there are many places where they sound unique enough to render them their own vibe. They've combined the powerhouse aspect of Evans Blue, the creepy, melodic feel of Breaking Benjamin (think "So Cold"), and the slight experimentation of 30 Seconds To Mars to create the ultimate progressive-alternative soundtrack. America, if Red Right Return hits the radio, be prepared for a readily enabled takeover (i.e. every jock at your school buying their shirt).
Evans Blue; 30 Seconds to Mars; Breaking Benjamin
myspace.com/janusband
Release Date: November 18, 2008
Record Label: Level It
There are a few bands that, given the opportunity, could take the radio by storm. Janus is a perfect example of this type of band. If they were given the chance, and played on some larger radio stations alongside all of our alternative "favorites" (sound-alikes), they could earn themselves hordes of fans.
I know everyone has their one radio-rock band that they just love, however hard it is to admit. I tend to be partial to Breaking Benjamin, as well as Jared Leto's half-cooked concept, 30 Seconds to Mars. Janus has grabbed all of those things that make these radio-ready bands such a hit and combined them, however indirectly, to create Red Right Return.
Okay, maybe the previous sentence is misleading. They're actually more towards the progressive (and/or experimental) side of the alternative spectrum, and stylistically, they're very much like 30 Seconds to Mars. However, you can be sure that if Leto's crew had released this album initially there would be much less hate for them. They've also got a quality that reminds me quite a bit of Evans Blue's jams. I think this mainly has to do with Janus' vocalist's tendency to sound like him a bit during those powerful choruses and bombastic verses where their vocalist gets that soaring quality going that Evan's Blue's Kevin Matisyn was so adept at. Their instrumentation is pretty tight throughout. The guitarists don't really shine above the vocals, but Janus' synth work more than makes up for it in the scheme of things. They utilize a synth more often than not, and in many places it gives the tracks an anthemic feel.
For some reason, every review I read about this band make them out to be "metal." Well, they aren't. I'm not sure if that's by preference of the band, or otherwise, but they rarely play anything heavier than a riff you'd expect out of 30 Seconds to Mars. When they do, they can play it to a "t" and they nail the whole charging power-riff in the end of "Skin Deep" and a couple of other tracks, but for the most part, they stay at a moderate range as far as heaviness goes. The screaming, as well, is few and far between, though it is pretty sweet in the few places where they do use it.
Red Right Return is progressive alternative in top form. While there are times when you may say "Hey.. that sounds like," there are many places where they sound unique enough to render them their own vibe. They've combined the powerhouse aspect of Evans Blue, the creepy, melodic feel of Breaking Benjamin (think "So Cold"), and the slight experimentation of 30 Seconds To Mars to create the ultimate progressive-alternative soundtrack. America, if Red Right Return hits the radio, be prepared for a readily enabled takeover (i.e. every jock at your school buying their shirt).
Evans Blue; 30 Seconds to Mars; Breaking Benjamin
myspace.com/janusband