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Jesu

Lifeline
2007
Hydra Head

Jesu - Lifeline (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
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Published on December 7th 2007

Does Jesu's Justin Broadrick live in a recording studio? Since unleashing the 40-minute Heart Ache "EP" in 2004, Jesu has released at least two more full-lengths, three EPs and a rarities collection. The latest of these however, Lifeline is an unfortunately inconsistent effort from the prolific musician.

Unlike Broadrick's previous efforts, notably Conqueror (released earlier this year) and the Silver EP (2006), he fails to offer interesting hooks lightly buried under an arresting atmosphere. Instead, Lifeline opts for tepid, usually disenchanting arrangements. The opening title track is solid enough, with Broadrick setting up his usual landscape of heavy, droning programming, however slower and more deliberate he sounds than usual. But then comes "You Wear their Masks," a black and white effort that isn't terribly striking and merely features Broadrick moaning incomrephensibly for over six minutes.

"Storm Comin' On" features Swans' Jarboe on vocals, and it's interesting just because it seems like such a departure for Jesu. However, the song doesn't necessarily go anywhere, and while Jarboe's performance is creepy and unsettling enough, it often comes off as too free-form to really work as a cohesive piece. It lightly picks up and starts to make sense by the four-minute mark, and Broadrick adds some soft and subtle metal chugging for a finishing layer. Still, it isn't particularly enjoyable, and the last track, "End of the Road" floats by without many discerning qualities.

Maybe Broadrick's ideas ran a little thin here; maybe these are old ideas he just recently brought to life. Either way, Lifeline is a disappointing release, but luckily Jesu has released enough impressive pieces that this misstep can be forgiven.

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Posted by greg505 on 2007-12-11 15:26:49
My Score:

That Storm Comin' song always gets skipped when I listen to this ep. Maybe it's cause I just feel awkward when people use phrases like "storm acomin" in a song when they're not at all southern, and even then it makes me want to jump out of my skin. I dunno. Either way, it's not a terrible ep, but it's not very great. I liked this ep more after I heard some of the songs live.

Posted by SilentStorms on 2007-12-11 00:21:22

I saw Jesu live with Zozobra and Isis, and I must say I have NEVER been as bored as I was when I watched these guys. I was really surprised after hearing all the praise too. But man, that Toronto show was fucking booooooooooooooooroing. I doubt I will ever give these guys another shot.

Posted by DickAround on 2007-12-09 13:02:06
My Score:

A solid 6 because it's an EP.

Posted by DickAround on 2007-12-09 13:01:38

Awesome EP. Some of you must have some retarded ears or something. Are we hearing the same JK Broadrick material?

Posted by bodyofafemalemosquito on 2007-12-09 07:14:39

Converge still chasing after Jane Doe.

Posted by i-type-poorly on 2007-12-08 18:11:23

Swami and 4chan fans both saw this band name in passing and became stoked-unstoked.

Posted by dolorbrigand on 2007-12-08 12:17:34
My Score:

I love Jesu. but for fucks sake this EP is bullshit. I would have rather it not been released at all. ever.

Posted by xote on 2007-12-08 00:17:49
My Score:

These songs are hella better than the songs on the elvium split. This has some of my favorite tracks on it. Some them have a deep real pop sensibility to them which is awesome.

Posted by nocigar on 2007-12-07 17:31:14

haven't heard this album yet; however, the cover reminds me of the lighthouse in my hometown.

Posted by DrGunn on 2007-12-07 16:51:51

i normally like this kind of stuff, but they fucking put me to sleep live. especially when half their instruments were on the laptop. would like to hear the song with jarboe though.

Posted by aubin on 2007-12-07 14:30:44

I really liked it. It's not quite as good as some of the other stuff from 2007, but with the exception of the Jarboe song, I'm quite fond of it.

Without a doubt though, the best Jesu release of 2007 was Sun Down / Sun Rise.

Posted by JonDaley on 2007-12-07 13:55:07

I find Jesu's output to be really hit or miss in general.

Posted by punkgato on 2007-12-07 13:03:01

This record is just as good as everything else he has released this year...maybe it just needs to grow on the reviewer! Also...go buy Rosetta's Wake/Lift...it rules!

Posted by preston on 2007-12-07 12:46:30
My Score:

Corrected Score.

Posted by preston on 2007-12-07 12:45:56
My Score:

I like it...a lot. Storm Comin' was not so good on first listen, but it becomes listenable. The other tracks are great though.

Posted by kurtz on 2007-12-07 12:41:51
My Score:

I really liked this

Posted by denbez on 2007-12-07 12:30:28

Fuck dude, didn't he learn from his mistakes with Godflesh?

Posted by danperrone on 2007-12-07 12:25:48

this band is kind of getting worse and worse. "storm comin' on" is in the top ten worst songs of the year.

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