Andrew Jackson Jihad - Knifeman
Asian Man Records
2011
Anytime a new record by D.I.Y folk punk duo Andrew Jackson Jihad is announced the message boards of sites like Punknews and Pastepunk get flooded with excitement and anticipation. This palpable wave of positive feeling is not without its foundations. Jihad’s first record “People who can eat people are the luckiest people in the world” was a refreshing burst of funny, insightful, well written folk punk that oozed earnestness and authenticity. The lyrics of singer and guitar player Sean Bonette were intensely personal but also communicated universal themes in the same breath. The music was delivered at a rapid pace as if it was waiting to come bursting from Bonette’s small, slightly nerdy frame. When you listen to an AJJ record there is a feeling that time is of the essence and the songs often communicate their meaning clearly and directly, like a particularly acerbic poem from the mind of Charles Bukowski. Their increasingly rabid fanbase was treated to more of the same caustic wit on 2009’s “Can’t Maintain” album but by this point the band had added electric guitars and drums to some of their songs. This didn’t divide fans as much as you might expect and seemed more like a natural progression that added extra strings to their song-writing bow and made them one of the most exciting young bands to come out of the folk punk scene in recent years. It was with that same excitement and anticipation banded about by the Org-core nerds that I had inside me before I reviewed this record. Below is a track by track run through of what to expect from AJJ’s third effort.
The Michael Jordon of Drunk Driving
This 22 second song serves as the intro to what follows and can bearly be said to be a song at all. I’ve never really been a fan of such things as I’ve never understood their purpose. Onwards and upwards!
The Gift of The Magi 2 (Return of the Magi)
This song is pure gold and showcases everything that is good about AJJ and why the fans have been chomping at the bit to hear more. It ranks up there with their very best songs and recalls the style of “Heartilation,” the opening track of 2009’s “Can’t Maintain” album. The song starts with a pounding electro-acoustic riff and is followed by a hilarious opening gambit which immediately reassures the listener that AJJ is very much picking up where they left off. Bonette frantically quips; “I used to be a dead guy/Now I’m a fucking Jedi!” The lyrics are peppered with profanity and self aware caustic wit that is utilized magnificently. The song’s calls for peace, love and compassion are told with an earnestness and clarity that are counterpointed superbly with an honest world weary stance; “I’ve got my whole life to live/And I’ve got all my love to give/ To all you fuckers that I hate.” Despite this postiveness shines through, making it one of AJJ’s most life affirming songs. It is a song that screams for peace and equality whilst denouncing chauvinism and violence. Bonette is at his most eloquent when he sings; “The husband divorced his wife/After she cut her hair/Because she was way less fuckable/Now that’s just unforgivable!” Brilliant stuff...truly brilliant.
American Tune
This is a slightly slower paced song that has instantly become a fan favourite because of its lyrical content. Bonette laments the problems of white male privilege that are sadly still present in America and the rest of the Western world even in the supposedly progressive, forward thinking 21st Century. He begins; “I am white/And I’ve got everything I need/No-one clutches their purses when they’re in a room alone with me.” I see this song as an updated version of the song “Fuck White People” from their “Candy Cigarettes and Capguns” compilation told in a much more eloquent and thought provoking way.
Back Pack
Things are brought to an even slower pace for this meditation on extreme violence and death which in the end fits the macabre themes of this song perfectly. This is a grower of a song and has divided opinion amongst fans more than any other on the album.
Distance
AJJ pick up the pace and the humour again for this song to excellent and hilarious effect. The piece contains a full band of electric guitars, bass and drums making it sound more pop-punk than the folk punk to which fans have grown accustom. In this case I don’t think this is going to hurt them as it is also a very very fine song. Some of the best lyrical nuggets are; “The first month after you left/I drank and jerked off till I slept!” and the intensely self aware and meta; “I hate whiny fuckin’ songs like this/But I can’t afford a therapist/Sorry guys...here’s a solo!” an apology for straying from the rather rigid conventions of the genre they’ve found themselves in and a sly jab at the expectations of the sometimes holier than thou fans who are fickle about that sort of thing.
Fucc the Devil
This is a much more stripped down track consisting of the acoustic guitar, bass and vocals that sounds like it could have been culled from the “People who eat people...” sessions. Lyrically Bonette deals with the problems of alcohol abuse and a cynical world view; “The flask is an alcoholic’s toothbrush/I need to go throw up now”. On a side-note the Kazoo makes a return as a backing instrument and surprisingly isn’t as annoying as it sounds.
Hate, Rain on Me
Back with the full band AJJ have constructed a song that is lyrically as cynical as the title might suggest and yet contains bright and breezy instrumentation that lifts it out of the gloom. The catchy chorus is perfect for group singalongs.
If You Have Love In Your Heart
This is a short acoustic song with life affirming lyrics. The production makes Bonettes vocals sound far away and disconnected which makes them beautifully haunting and ethereal. The song is over before it can be processed or truly appreciated, zipping by after just 1 minute and 30 seconds. Feels like a missed opportunity to me.
No One
This song is much slower and much more meditative but has no less of an effect. Bonette uses the experience of working at a homeless shelter to underline a simple premise of loneliness and alienation detailed in the chorus; “When you have no one/You are no one!”
Sad Songs (Intermission)
Unlike the title may suggest this isn’t an intermission at all but instead a bouncy country song that details what Bonette’s mentor once said to him about song writing; “Who gives a fuckin rats ass/Just write a love song/They will keep your belly full and your wallet lined/Don’t bother these nice people with your sad sack songs/If you ask me I think they’re just a waste of time!” Judging by the albums lyrical content this was not advice that Bonette heeded. This song has flurries of experimentation running through it with snatches of piano soloing and vocal harmonies straight from the old dusty trail of the American West.
Zombie
A cover of a Cranberries song that is a perfect fit for AJJ
People 2 Still Peoplin'
This is a song whose title recalls the song “People” from “People who can eat People” (way too many people’s for one sentence.) Bonette’s is empathetic and understanding of the spiral of negativity one can find oneself in when feeling alone in the world; “You don’t wanna hear about all those starving children/You don’t wanna be told it’s all in your head/Coz if it’s all in your head...that’s terrible.”
Sorry Bro
A fast song with a full band that sounds like it belongs on “Can’t Maintain.” It contains gang vocals, pounding drums and strained delivery. Bound to become a fan favourite even if it’s for the use of “We’re the kids in America” for reasons only known to the band themselves.
Skate Park
Another fast song which follows on from “Sorry Bro” perfectly and displays the usual AJJ sarcasm; “There is nothing I’d rather do on this terrible fucking day/ Than break break break my bones and feel the pain of self improvement.” Bonette is playing so fast here I imagine his hand is a blur with smoke pouring from his pick. The song ends with the shoutalong lyrics of “Stick stick stick to your guns/ and don’t quit until you feel like changing them” that feels extremely uplifting.
Free Bird
A slow and cumbersome song that certainly takes its time and recalls campfire singalongs. Not a favourite I must say. I find myself hitting the skip button by the time the first chorus comes around.
Big Bird
Another slow song that is eminently more interesting than “Free Bird” because it displays a willingness to experiment with soundscapes. Bonette sings the first verse totally accapella until drums and guitar crash in with smatterings of other string instruments in the background. A fine way to finish.
Verdict: This is another fine effort from AJJ. It feels like their most accomplished and most fully realised record to date. Sean Bonette is really coming into his own as a lyricist and a songwriter and the variety in the songs shows a commendable willingness to experiment whilst keeping all the elements intact that made fans fall in love with the duo in the first place. My only complaints are that there is some filler on there that makes the album feel patchier than previous works. There are a few songs that should have been left on the cutting room floor and their inclusion makes the record seem slightly overlong. Despite this the album comes highly recommended and don’t be surprised to see it on many favourite records of 2011 lists. Brilliant stuff!
For Fans of: Folk Punk, Ghost Mice, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, Defiance Ohio, Against Me! Americana
9/10
'BadIdeaDan' at mlm
2011
Anytime a new record by D.I.Y folk punk duo Andrew Jackson Jihad is announced the message boards of sites like Punknews and Pastepunk get flooded with excitement and anticipation. This palpable wave of positive feeling is not without its foundations. Jihad’s first record “People who can eat people are the luckiest people in the world” was a refreshing burst of funny, insightful, well written folk punk that oozed earnestness and authenticity. The lyrics of singer and guitar player Sean Bonette were intensely personal but also communicated universal themes in the same breath. The music was delivered at a rapid pace as if it was waiting to come bursting from Bonette’s small, slightly nerdy frame. When you listen to an AJJ record there is a feeling that time is of the essence and the songs often communicate their meaning clearly and directly, like a particularly acerbic poem from the mind of Charles Bukowski. Their increasingly rabid fanbase was treated to more of the same caustic wit on 2009’s “Can’t Maintain” album but by this point the band had added electric guitars and drums to some of their songs. This didn’t divide fans as much as you might expect and seemed more like a natural progression that added extra strings to their song-writing bow and made them one of the most exciting young bands to come out of the folk punk scene in recent years. It was with that same excitement and anticipation banded about by the Org-core nerds that I had inside me before I reviewed this record. Below is a track by track run through of what to expect from AJJ’s third effort.
The Michael Jordon of Drunk Driving
This 22 second song serves as the intro to what follows and can bearly be said to be a song at all. I’ve never really been a fan of such things as I’ve never understood their purpose. Onwards and upwards!
The Gift of The Magi 2 (Return of the Magi)
This song is pure gold and showcases everything that is good about AJJ and why the fans have been chomping at the bit to hear more. It ranks up there with their very best songs and recalls the style of “Heartilation,” the opening track of 2009’s “Can’t Maintain” album. The song starts with a pounding electro-acoustic riff and is followed by a hilarious opening gambit which immediately reassures the listener that AJJ is very much picking up where they left off. Bonette frantically quips; “I used to be a dead guy/Now I’m a fucking Jedi!” The lyrics are peppered with profanity and self aware caustic wit that is utilized magnificently. The song’s calls for peace, love and compassion are told with an earnestness and clarity that are counterpointed superbly with an honest world weary stance; “I’ve got my whole life to live/And I’ve got all my love to give/ To all you fuckers that I hate.” Despite this postiveness shines through, making it one of AJJ’s most life affirming songs. It is a song that screams for peace and equality whilst denouncing chauvinism and violence. Bonette is at his most eloquent when he sings; “The husband divorced his wife/After she cut her hair/Because she was way less fuckable/Now that’s just unforgivable!” Brilliant stuff...truly brilliant.
American Tune
This is a slightly slower paced song that has instantly become a fan favourite because of its lyrical content. Bonette laments the problems of white male privilege that are sadly still present in America and the rest of the Western world even in the supposedly progressive, forward thinking 21st Century. He begins; “I am white/And I’ve got everything I need/No-one clutches their purses when they’re in a room alone with me.” I see this song as an updated version of the song “Fuck White People” from their “Candy Cigarettes and Capguns” compilation told in a much more eloquent and thought provoking way.
Back Pack
Things are brought to an even slower pace for this meditation on extreme violence and death which in the end fits the macabre themes of this song perfectly. This is a grower of a song and has divided opinion amongst fans more than any other on the album.
Distance
AJJ pick up the pace and the humour again for this song to excellent and hilarious effect. The piece contains a full band of electric guitars, bass and drums making it sound more pop-punk than the folk punk to which fans have grown accustom. In this case I don’t think this is going to hurt them as it is also a very very fine song. Some of the best lyrical nuggets are; “The first month after you left/I drank and jerked off till I slept!” and the intensely self aware and meta; “I hate whiny fuckin’ songs like this/But I can’t afford a therapist/Sorry guys...here’s a solo!” an apology for straying from the rather rigid conventions of the genre they’ve found themselves in and a sly jab at the expectations of the sometimes holier than thou fans who are fickle about that sort of thing.
Fucc the Devil
This is a much more stripped down track consisting of the acoustic guitar, bass and vocals that sounds like it could have been culled from the “People who eat people...” sessions. Lyrically Bonette deals with the problems of alcohol abuse and a cynical world view; “The flask is an alcoholic’s toothbrush/I need to go throw up now”. On a side-note the Kazoo makes a return as a backing instrument and surprisingly isn’t as annoying as it sounds.
Hate, Rain on Me
Back with the full band AJJ have constructed a song that is lyrically as cynical as the title might suggest and yet contains bright and breezy instrumentation that lifts it out of the gloom. The catchy chorus is perfect for group singalongs.
If You Have Love In Your Heart
This is a short acoustic song with life affirming lyrics. The production makes Bonettes vocals sound far away and disconnected which makes them beautifully haunting and ethereal. The song is over before it can be processed or truly appreciated, zipping by after just 1 minute and 30 seconds. Feels like a missed opportunity to me.
No One
This song is much slower and much more meditative but has no less of an effect. Bonette uses the experience of working at a homeless shelter to underline a simple premise of loneliness and alienation detailed in the chorus; “When you have no one/You are no one!”
Sad Songs (Intermission)
Unlike the title may suggest this isn’t an intermission at all but instead a bouncy country song that details what Bonette’s mentor once said to him about song writing; “Who gives a fuckin rats ass/Just write a love song/They will keep your belly full and your wallet lined/Don’t bother these nice people with your sad sack songs/If you ask me I think they’re just a waste of time!” Judging by the albums lyrical content this was not advice that Bonette heeded. This song has flurries of experimentation running through it with snatches of piano soloing and vocal harmonies straight from the old dusty trail of the American West.
Zombie
A cover of a Cranberries song that is a perfect fit for AJJ
People 2 Still Peoplin'
This is a song whose title recalls the song “People” from “People who can eat People” (way too many people’s for one sentence.) Bonette’s is empathetic and understanding of the spiral of negativity one can find oneself in when feeling alone in the world; “You don’t wanna hear about all those starving children/You don’t wanna be told it’s all in your head/Coz if it’s all in your head...that’s terrible.”
Sorry Bro
A fast song with a full band that sounds like it belongs on “Can’t Maintain.” It contains gang vocals, pounding drums and strained delivery. Bound to become a fan favourite even if it’s for the use of “We’re the kids in America” for reasons only known to the band themselves.
Skate Park
Another fast song which follows on from “Sorry Bro” perfectly and displays the usual AJJ sarcasm; “There is nothing I’d rather do on this terrible fucking day/ Than break break break my bones and feel the pain of self improvement.” Bonette is playing so fast here I imagine his hand is a blur with smoke pouring from his pick. The song ends with the shoutalong lyrics of “Stick stick stick to your guns/ and don’t quit until you feel like changing them” that feels extremely uplifting.
Free Bird
A slow and cumbersome song that certainly takes its time and recalls campfire singalongs. Not a favourite I must say. I find myself hitting the skip button by the time the first chorus comes around.
Big Bird
Another slow song that is eminently more interesting than “Free Bird” because it displays a willingness to experiment with soundscapes. Bonette sings the first verse totally accapella until drums and guitar crash in with smatterings of other string instruments in the background. A fine way to finish.
Verdict: This is another fine effort from AJJ. It feels like their most accomplished and most fully realised record to date. Sean Bonette is really coming into his own as a lyricist and a songwriter and the variety in the songs shows a commendable willingness to experiment whilst keeping all the elements intact that made fans fall in love with the duo in the first place. My only complaints are that there is some filler on there that makes the album feel patchier than previous works. There are a few songs that should have been left on the cutting room floor and their inclusion makes the record seem slightly overlong. Despite this the album comes highly recommended and don’t be surprised to see it on many favourite records of 2011 lists. Brilliant stuff!
For Fans of: Folk Punk, Ghost Mice, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, Defiance Ohio, Against Me! Americana
9/10
'BadIdeaDan' at mlm