Cap'n Jazz

Cap'n Jazz: AnalphabetapolothologyAnalphabetapolothology (1998)
Jade Tree Records

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: ponchohwmponchohwm
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on April 8th 2003I was surprised searching through the review archives that punknews.org did not have a review of Cap'n Jazz on record. Even though their discography came out in 1998, Cap'n Jazz, being one of the most influential indie/noise emo bands that has ever existed, should been written on if only to introduc.

I was surprised searching through the review archives that punknews.org did not have a review of Cap'n Jazz on record. Even though their discography came out in 1998, Cap'n Jazz, being one of the most influential indie/noise emo bands that has ever existed, should been written on if only to introduce new listeners to the roots. Cap'n Jazz essentially consisted of the current Owls lineup plus Davey VonBohlen later of Promise Ring fame. Members would later participate in bands such as Joan of Arc, American Football, Owen and Sky Corvair.

Back to the sound. Cap'n Jazz dominated the Chicago indie scene of the early nineties with Tim Kinsella's little kid voice, confusing word play, and rambling storytelling lyrics. Guitar and bass work was at times complex but often sounded sloppy on purpose, a rushed sense of urgency is conveyed to the listener. Drum work by Mike Kinsella keeps the chaos together and restrains the vocals and guitars from a life of their own. Cap'n Jazz as a whole is a sound that could never be replicated to the same success even later by 4 of the members together in the Owls. This sound at first seems inaccessible and to broad to enjoy but after a few listens anyone will begin to feel pumped up by rockin tracks like Oh Messy Life.

The most interesting aspect of Cap'n Jazz is probably Tim Kinsella's word play. Few songs have obvious logic or themes to them. Many include various plays on word aspects such as the rambling Flashpoint: Catheter's "I know you know traps ease. I know no trapeze." Some songs tell stories that seem to have no points and seem almost improvised except for how well they flow with the music. Kinsella's childish voice and occasional cracking screams add to the chaotic tenement of the band.

Back to the actual album. Jade Tree compiled one of the most satisfying and complete discography that has ever existed. The 2 cd set contains not only every song written by the band including unreleased demos but also a selection of songs from their final live performance and three covers of varying quality.

The first cd is much more listen able than the second and the first 12 tracks compromise the only full length release of the band's career. Little League, Oh Messy Life, Basil's Kite, and In The Clear will remain four of my favorite songs of all time. The whole compilation is worth these twelve tracks alone. In fact the whole emo genre of today is barely worth these 12 tracks alone. The first cd ends with 3 unreleased songs and two live tracks taken from their final show at the Fireside Bowl. These final tracks include a rockin cover of A-Ha's Take On Me and Tokyo a song that comes across almost as a spoken word session by Tim Kinsella.

The second cd of the set includes a large collection of songs off collections and split cds many not including all members of the group. This set is hard to listen to and doesn't flow well but is a treasure for collectors and any true fans. It includes strange variations on covers of 90210 and Winter Wonderland. Still this second cd contains some gems of pure Cap'n Jazz genius. Highlights include songs such as AOK, Rocky Rococo and Ooh Do I Love You.

Jade Tree should be mentioned for their quality good work in the collection of information and songs. The cd cover contains an opening from the band concerning their time together. Also complete lyrics and explanation of original releases of the songs are included alongside interesting cover art.

This album should belong to any fan of indie rock, emo, noise rock, punk rock, hell and independent music fan ought to at least listen to Cap'n Jazz. It is defiantly one of my top 5 albums of all time if not my favorite album ever released.

MP3
Little League

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

heidisuperhero (June 22, 2009)

one of the most brilliant discographies ever.

Anonymous (April 5, 2006)

"It is defiantly one of my top 5 albums of all time if not my favorite album ever released."

If you like it so much why is it so defiant of it's position in your top 5.

Anonymous (September 16, 2005)

Great band and CD but this review has some misinformation in it. For instance, Cap'n Jazz didn't dominate the Chicago indie scene in the early 90's. They were never that popular and most people didn't get into them until after The Promise Ring and Joan of Arc had some success. And I don't think they played sloppy on purpose. Also, as another comment pointed out, there is one song left off the comp called 'Naive' which is kinda long and sounds a lot like Jane's Addiction. Finally, the 2 live songs is not from their last show but rather their last show in Chicago. Their last show was in Little Rock, Arkansas where they broke up on the road, reportedly because Victor ended up in the hospital from overdosing and he was a trainwreck of self destructive behavior.

Anonymous (August 4, 2005)

a fucking fabulous album. anyone who disagrees can go fuck themselves with a pineapple and the 50 cent cd's they have.

lou (November 22, 2004)

found this in the "just in bin" at the local fye... one of the best CD's i've ever purchased (especially for like $6)

kewl (November 3, 2004)

This is an amazing CD.

Anonymous (August 19, 2004)

cap'n jazz fuckin rules...i loved being a kid and growing up during this time in chicago. cap'n jazz always reminds me of being a kid going to shows in chicagoland...also, not every cap'n jazz song appears on this cd. the song "naive" which appeared on Actung Chicago Zwei comp. does not appear on this anthology

Anonymous (February 12, 2004)

yea, you figure scott would like a band like this.

in any case, this is one of the most awesome soundtracks to a teenager's life. it reminds me of driving a 100 miles per hour with the windows down in the hot summer sun with my friends. its epic, fast, intense, and all around killer.

-benz

funkisdead (September 17, 2003)

this really a fucking great album
this shit is pioneer status
hmmm

Anonymous (August 10, 2003)

wow, this review looks sort of familiar..... *cough* http://hcmagazine.com/magazine.hc/content/reviews/0,2,0000769,00. html *cough*

by the way, this cd is amazing

Anonymous (April 10, 2003)

This album is so fucking good.
Give it more of a chance.

sickboi (April 10, 2003)

Comment of the daw award.

waste_elite (April 10, 2003)

the first four letters of the album title really jump out at me when i look at it. bad idea guys.

and on a positive note, this band is really awful.

siropsycho (April 9, 2003)

'oh messy life' is the only song i like off this cd

that song kicks ass

Anonymous (April 9, 2003)

Mike is the better of the brothers.

FortyMinutesWest (April 9, 2003)

Haha Crap N' Jazz, good stuff.

Anonymous (April 8, 2003)

This band is sooo awesome

sk8punx4evr (April 8, 2003)

"Cap'n Jazz? More like CRAP'n Jazz!"

pure gold. im proud.

Kurt_F (April 8, 2003)

Eeewww. Scott, I DO NOT understand your musical tastes. How you can like a lot of bands that you do and not like Cap'n Jazz, is beyond me.

Great Review, great label, great band.

jheisel (April 8, 2003)

The difference between my score and my brother's score should so everyone how utterly worthless his opinion is, while simultaneously validating mine for all eternity.

Anonymous (April 8, 2003)

I wish every review was like this one. It has good information about the band, history, label, and the cd itself, but it is all interesting to read so the review doesn't seem too long. It says what the music and lyrics are like if you've never heard the band, and it points out what the best songs are. It doesnt just say "this cd is good" or "this cd sucks" it gives lots of valid reasons why it is a good cd. There should be more reviews like this one.

maverick (April 8, 2003)

I hate this band so goddamn much.

Cap'n Jazz? More like CRAP'n Jazz!

Ugh.

-Scott