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Jawbreaker's demise in '96 had equally matched the fall
of the Bay Area music-scene in general. It was probably a lot
more memorable than the entire life-blood of Jawbreaker's success
as a whole. Not only were they collectively witnessed switching
label to label, and hopping on the strengths and weaknesses
of their career, but they made brief transitions in between
each album, making it a point to not sit content with one sound.
That is why the re-issue of Dear You topples every pre-conception
of Jawbreaker on its head, and heads toward a slightly new direction.
With four LP's and approximately two EP's under their belt,
Jawbreaker have always lead a thrifty career out of playing
in their home-town San Fran Bay-area, and milking their individual
creativity in terms of energy and intelligence. Dear You
was seen on DGC-records in 1995, but had un-intentionally turned
the ears off of resident Jawbreaker fans. In 2003, drummer/producer
Adam Pfahler's own BlackBall Records re-released the
album, naked as it stood. Hopefully, Dear You stands
as a bigger compliment than that of its influenced after-arrivals,
which also draws some interest.
More than Minor Threat, Fear and the rebel-energy
of '77 punk having a psychosis-influence on Jawbreaker, this
re-issue provides proof of the fact that emo-music drew it's
name from Dear You. I'm not naming names, but I think
we are emo-smart enough to point out the dummies if we see them-
not that they are all dummies exactly.... But like all alternatives,
Dear You is the least un-important of rock-albums. Blake
Schwarzenbach's vocals still careen with intense thought
and melodic gavel, Chris Bauermeister's bass jumps the
paint of Schwarzenbach's guitar-playing very efficiently, and
Adam Pfahler's drumming has the mast of a very dynamic punk
style, gradual and driving for all seasons. Better an alternative-punk-regrowth
album than a stand-still punk record.
From the opening "Save Your Generation", digressive
and slow as slush-trekking, to the driving "Chemistry",
to the aptly conversational story-book about punk rock and Led
Zeppelin of "Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault", Dear
You still carries fun energy and creative driving rock,
punk and best wit from singer/guitarist Schwarzenbach. This
is a good last-album to turn on after a long day, or a day on
the road. 18 songs give this such a charged-up inclusion and
each lyrical variant is poetically clever- it turns my jollies
on.
"Jet Black" is one that sticks in my mind as all
of this.
This a great rock record that clearly shows how much Jawbreaker's
music had evolved. Not to mention, it's got a killer enhanced-portion
with the full music video of "Fireman".
We should be optimistic that they disbanded only to leave this
jewel-of-a-rockin'-record behind.
-Adrian Rose
Track Listing:
1. Save Your Generation
2. I Love You So Much It's Killing Us Both
3. Fireman
4. Accident Prone
5. Chemistry
6. Oyster
7. Million
8. Lurker 2: Dark Son Of Night
9. Jet Black
10. Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault
11. Sluttering (May 4th)
12. Bascilla
13. Unlisted Track
14. Shirt
15. Into You Like A Train
16. Sister
17. Friendly Fire
18. Boxcar
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