Cassette Review // The Jaunties "Yes Lord & Box Set" (Crass Lips Records)

$8 //
Edition of 50 //
https://crasslipsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/yes-lord-box-set //

This one starts off loud and fast.   Words are spoken and screeches come through sharply as there are starts and stops of distortion.   This one rips through like lightning.   Signals are being crossed now as this just turns into pure chaos.   Strings are plucked and scraped and it just feels like this song is falling apart with such destruction.   And that was just the first song.

We get a Daniel Johnston-like introduction before the next song, which comes in with upbeat rhythms which make me think of something of the surf rock genre.   Yes, there are horns blaring but this still makes me feel like we're in an Elvis movie and at a clambake.  This is powering through with sheer instrumental force.

Quieter now, percussion slowly rolls in as the vocals make me think of aliens.   This song has a steady rhythm and what could be ducks quacking with it.  (Is it a kazoo?)   Words are spoken, guitars come crashing in and I have no choice but to think of Suicidal Tendencies.   And this turns into a primal growling and heavy breathing. 

The next song comes in strong with loud yelling and drums.   This song is called "I Need Qualudes" and it's like if an early Nirvana demo was mixed with Jay Reatard.  Now I want to listen to Jay Reatard.   "Pow" comes through with a distorted guitar riff that makes it feel like a groovy punk rock song, maybe a little bit of sped up ska even.   "Beneath" has this somewhat upbeat way about it as we're being told why we suck. 

Horns coming through now with frequencies and it feels like you can hear someone getting sick at the end of "Seasick".   "Helmets and Play... in not included" has a pretty straight forward rock-punk quality to it, like something from early Nirvana or Local H but also with bits of Daniel Johnston and it also just feels like it wants to grow into a more full version of a ska song with the horns but instead some type of growling monster is found instead.

As it breaks down into some jazz punk it picks up again with a blaring trumpet and the drums are just out of control.    There is a lot of screaming in this- like a horror film- and then it sounds like some kind of machine trying to start up.   The scales go back and forth as the song comes to an end.    We open with singing now and then some crashes and scrapes come through, though the vocals seem to also be in a hurry.    Static bursts come through and the song ends with the vocals only, just as it started.

Tones make the next song feel groovy and then it gets a little bit darker with keys and I feel like it's gone into some Groovie Ghoulies.    Horns are blasting now.   We dive into a walking quality with the music now as the words are spoken and appear to be telling a story.  It all comes together, rather quickly, and ends with all bits of distortion and drums playing together as one.

On the flip side we start with some wild drums which go right into horns and this one has a certain way about it which is just so much fun and feels like that song from "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" that says tequila.  After a "1-2-3-4!" we're into "I'm a Blender" and it kind of does sound like it.    We get into some groovy tones now on the titular track of "Yes Lord" and it feels partly like a gospel as it drives through at about 70 mph.

We're driving through now with a song called "Swamp Creature", which is fitting because it feels like something out of Scooby-Doo.    "Grilled Cheese & All That" takes on that screamy distorted punk sound which I'm finding more and more represents The Jaunties.   "Frisbee" has an almost Old West feel to it, as it comes through like one of those old player pianos, but there are also some killer guitar riffs in there.

Next up is a song called "Jerking Off in Excess", which oddly sounds like Spongebob shouting.   This just drives so fast, I have no idea how such control is placed over the instruments for if this was a car it would certainly steer out off of the road.  A single "ow" is heard after some sharp feedback.   Then the music is back into its controlled chaos as words are screamed about vampires not being real.   I don't want to argue the point though because the way it is screamed just seems so certain.
"I Am Allowed To Do This" feels like surf and it's a song about doing what you want.

 "Lightbulbs" definitely feels like the theme to an animated series.   We get full on punk and rowdy during "Real Musicians".   The guitars just ring so loudly.    Singing loudly and blaring horns now on "Tie Rack", which just feels like such a story of a song.   If the party is anything like the song inviting me to it, consider me in.   Then Bologna comes to the party (which I think is live) and "Space Ballad" sounds as it is called.

"Henry's Night In" seems to tell a musical story and there is a sneeze in here that seems to be part of the song, coming back like a chorus.   "Paper Planes" is a music box type of song which brings this all together nicely and while I will admit that this is a lot of The Jaunties to digest at one time (You might want to do one side at a time, at least to start) you will eventually feel like you just can't get enough and need more songs.