Jeniferever / The Next Autumn Soundtrack - split : cd
Any regular readers of my reviews should know that any releases from one particular label over all others never fail to get my juices flowing. If you aren’t a habitual reader, then I’ll just come straight out and say it: Big Scary Monsters. Having previously graced my ear drums with the stunning harmonies of My Awesome Compilation, the extravagant melodies of My Favourite Co-Pilot and the self titled “pop rock” sing-a-longs of HidingWithGirls, I had high expectations of this split EP.

In all honesty, I predicted that the highlight of this CD would be The Next Autumn Soundtrack having already heard, and loved, a handful of tracks beforehand. Well, I have to admit that I’ve been proven wrong. It’s not that TNAS disappoint, because this is an extremely strong release from them. No, it’s that Jeniferever surpass all presumptions that I could have ever possibly had.

Sweden’s Jeniferever most certainly do not fit the thrash metal mould that the country has become synonymous with producing. They are one of the few insightful bands out there at present who aren’t afraid to exhibit that songs don’t need to have incessant vocals to seize the listener’s attention. The soaring melodies and sharp layers overlaying the powerful drum beat combine to form emo’s answer to the sheer brutality of Isis, with a little latter day Radiohead and archaic Far thrown in for good measure. Definitely ones to watch in 2004.

One dare not use the term emo loosely these days in fear of an ear bashing from at least two sections of the music world: supporters of the band in question and everyone who thinks they’re an emo connoisseur because they’ve heard one Texas Is The Reason song. Well, I’m going to be blunt here and say that I believe The Next Autumn Soundtrack to be, quite simply, emo. I can’t think of another term to describe a band that has elements of Jimmy Eat World, Small Brown Bike, Hot Water Music and My Awesome Compilation in its sound. I am not, however, using that term disapprovingly. The Next Autumn Soundtrack are one of those bands that never fail to bring a ray of sunshine to even the gloomiest of days. The music that they play is saturated with blissfully content vocal melodies, music box-esque guitar riffs and a welcome withdrawal from the angst ridden, depressed and desperate compositions, ever present in the CD players of the dejected teenagers of the 90s.

This is definitely one of the best split releases of 2003, and probably one of the best I’ve ever heard. Would you all please raise your glasses once more to Big Scary Monsters and Toddler Records for a splendid combined release. Huzzah!

4,5/5

/Rob
www.furyfanzine.com