JXXIII

I like Post-Rock. Each time I'm going to stop and say: "That's it, I can't listen to these endless GY!BE/ Mogwai/EitS wannabees anymore!" I discover a new fresh band. This time it was JOHNNYTWENTYTHREE from USA, recommended to me by Chamberry (Ruben).

I checked band's myspace and enjoyed their tracks a lot (especially bolero entitled "Red Bird"). Few more weeks - and here it is, JXXIII's self-released album lying just under my left hand while I write this. To begin with, it is an Epic Post-Rock band, and if you feel it is necessary for you to compare them with anyone, take YNDI HALDA and MONO...but wait, JXXIII is more mellow and moving, atmospheric and sincere, almost ambient at times (though not as much melodic-gifted as abovementioned YNDI HALDA, but it depends on what you seek in music, isn't it?). Guitar tremoloes and delayed violin, clear rhythm-section (providing some groovy moments, like in the middle of Ghost Soldiers), some obvious Post-Rock samples (like rain/train/voices/nature sounds etc) - you know, it's hard to be unique these days, but if you really care about ATMOSPHERE and MOOD, forget about anything else. I'm irritated with those who claim that Post-Rock are GY!BE and SIGUR ROS and one million of their clones, and I simply don't care about them. As long as it's ebjoyable, it's good. Even more - JXXIII is not just good, it's astonishing and almost perfect. The reason for 4,333 stars I'm giving is just my passion to much darker music - but you know, the light JXXIII brings is so refreshing and impressive, that one can easily forget about his usual preferences. Extremely recommended - just let them know if you really want it.