The Jesus Cleaver - Life In Clouds

The Jesus Cleaver is known as Brisbane, Australia's most enduring yet underground dark alternative outfit. 'Life In Clouds (Part 1)' features 6 original tracks, including the single "Mercy", which debuted as the band's first music video (released on youtube.com).

"Mercy", the most hyped song and 1st track on the album is one of the better tracks on the album for sure. The one track that will definitely give you a feel for TJC. Very gothy, carefree, and almost for sure still something you haven't heard of.. that'll impress those elitists!

The second track, "Girl With No Name", starts off with chimes reminiscent of The Cures "Pictures". But this is no "Pictures" and TJC is by no means anything like The Cure... "Girl With No Name" is a noisy, emotional ballad set to the sounds of the most stereotypical goth synths out there. I could picture this being played by one of the South Park goths as it just oozes THIS IS AS GOTH AS THE GOTHIEST OF GOTH CAN BE, Stereo-typically speaking, of course.

On to the third track, "New Day", the gothic funeral procession channeling some witchhouse. I cannot help but wonder if they are being serious or they truly are over-dramatic at times and oh so stereo-typically goth that its funny.

"Life In Clouds", the fourth track, seems like the begining of an 80s horror movie... im waiting to see pinhead appear in the blackness of my mediaplayer... its a beautiful ambience though, one of the better tracks til the vocals hit in and I realize its more of a poem or an interlude.

Track five, "Empty", starts off buzzing with a guitar intro. I like this dark ballad. One of the best songs on the album. Its not mastered too well, but its as good as its gonna get. If like a dark, alternative, gothy, underground sound that no one has likely heard of, check out The Jesus Cleaver.

The final track, number six, "Oramics", sounds like something you would hear playing in a village of Final Fantasy VII. Its a basic solo of some synth or some wind instrument... Ocarina? Flute-like sounding? Not bad, but just an interlude.

'Life In Clouds' simply leaves something to be desired and I suppose thats good since its part 1 of, I'm guessing 2. Hopefully The Jesus Cleaver will release their second half soon, as I'd like to hear where it all goes and though the gothyness is not my cup of tea, I look forward to the second half of 'Life In Clouds.'

The conclusion is this; If you like raw, underground goth, check out The Jesus Cleaver. If you go into this album expecting to be blown away, or expecting the next club hit, you probably will be disappointed. But theres other genres in the world besides dancing genres and The Jesus Cleaver isn't trying to be a dancefloor goth duo. Give TJC a chance if you have an open mind. Aug 22 2012