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Jett Brando

Jagged Junktion (2002)
Go Kart Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Scott
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 31st 2003

I don't know about you, but when I think of Go-Kart Records, I think of a punk rock label. Take a look at their past and present roster - Anti-Flag, the Lunachicks, the Buzzcocks, Boris The Sprinkler, INDK, the list goes on and on. The label has established themselves over many years as a consistent punk rock producing label.

So what do you do when a label known for a specific sounds releases something that falls completely outside their realm of expertise?

Moreover, what do you do when said release is really, really good?

This brings us to Jett Brando's newest EP, entitled "Jagged Junktion." This EP contains 6 songs that fall somewhere in the realm of "indie pop," but on the much harder side of the definition. Jett Brando [better known as Jeremy Winter, formerly of All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors] brings to the table jangly guitars and trip-hop drumbeats blended with Brando's sexy croon of a voice. Loops of instruments flood certain tracks, rendering this CD useless unless you own a really good pair of headphones to fully absorb all the music going on here.

Brando really hits his stride in "Until You Fall," a multilayered vocal escapade accompanied with a bouncing bassline and clever lyricism. Later on in the EP, "Systems Fail" conjurs up images of an early Radiohead, sounding like a 3/4 version of the band's breakthrough single "Creep." And just when you think you know exactly what to expect, conga drums pop up in "Wayside Blues," giving the song a lounge feel.

All in all, this EP is a solid piece of work, and makes me want to go pick up Jett's first album on Gern Blandsten, as well as keep an eye out for future releases by the man. How ironic is it that Go-Kart Records, a label known for putting out harsh, abrasive, and potentially offensive punk rock puts out what is probably the most challenging release they've ever had?

Go into this with an open mind and you will be sufficiently rewarded.

MP3
Be So Kind

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Anonymous (February 4, 2003)

Best record ever on Go-Kart: Black Velvet Flag. Good shit.

Anonymous (February 2, 2003)

Sorry if this gets posted twice - the cat sat on the keyboard

The reason Jett Brando is not up on the Go-kart site is we are launching a new site any day now and so we haven't been updating the new one.

Also, at Go-kart we refuse to put out one type of music, and have always strived to release more than just ne type of punk (or whatever genre you want to throw in here) The new Manda and The Marbles record, which is amazing, does not fit in to any of the categories described above - the only criteria for releasing a record is whether we think it's good. You should also check out the Shake Appeal record from a few years back - an amazing record, unfortunately the band broke up a week after it came out.

So I am glad you like Jett Brando - and I hope we can surprise you more in the future

Greg
Go-kart

CallingLondon (February 2, 2003)

ok nevermind. my first comment still stands.

CallingLondon (February 2, 2003)

i think the reason go-kart isn't listing them is because they're on Gern Bladsten Records. scott, i think you have some explaining to do.

CallingLondon (February 2, 2003)

yeah, what the hell? how can a label not list one of their own bands in their band list? it sounds like i'll enjoy this band a lot, but i can't find any mp3s.

Anonymous (February 1, 2003)

are there any webpages or anything for these guys? they dont even have a page on the go-kart site

maverick (February 1, 2003)

I *still* haven't heard the Colossal EP. Asian Man sends me *everything* for review, yet somehow this has not gotten here yet. It worries me.

-Scott

Anonymous (February 1, 2003)

I first I had a mixed reaction to the first song off the EP. But Jett Brando grew to me. And after the first one, the other tracks are golden with a touch of indie rock and some piano on certain tracks. It reminded me of Colossal's EP yet darker. Definitely a keeper especially since I got it for 4 bucks.

Ramo