Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Johnnytwentythree - JXXIII CD (album) cover

JXXIII

Johnnytwentythree

Post Rock/Math rock


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Bookmark and Share
chamberry
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars It sounds epic just by looking at it.

Here's another band that has been unjustly compared to Yndi Halda at some moment in their career. JXXXIII is a band that focuses a lot in the theatrical and epic side of music. So much that the guy that projects and films the movies shown in their live shows and album is a member of the band. Heck! Even the band's debut was a soundtrack to one of his films!

JXXIII's music is big. The centerpieces of the album range from 13 to 20 minutes. The music's guitar dominated just like Mono or Explosions in the Sky, but the feel of the album is grandiose and epic like buffed-up version of those bands mentioned. The violin also takes a dominant role and acts just as another guitar with both crafting endless melodies until reaching the apex of the compositions. The rhythm section can't be left behind reminding us of GY!BE in many ways, specially the drummer who plays some excellent drum parts in "Fall of Swords" and "Ghost Soldiers" that gives the music an accessible touch. The music may be a bit slow at times, but believe me that patience will be greatly rewarded and if you let yourself go then you'll enjoy it all. After a couple of listens to the album I fell in love with it and ever since I got it I try to listen to it at least once or twice a month, or if I don't have the time then I listen to the moving "Fall of Swords" which makes up for it.

JXXIII is a solid album that's memorable and a gratifying listening experience. Epic Post-Rock hasn't been the same since Godspeed You! Black Emperor left the ballpark, but that doesn't mean it's any less enjoyable. There are bands like Evpatoria Report, Sweek, Magyar Posse, Sickoakes, our own Johnnytwentythree and a bunch of others. Johnnytwentythree left me impressed and stunned. Post-Rock fans shouldn't miss out on this release, but beginners might want to leave this for some other time. There's still room for improvement so I'll give this one a hair below 4 stars (3.9 - 3.8). Still they're highly enjoyable and recommended.

Report this review (#159471)
Posted Monday, January 21, 2008 | Review Permalink
Prog-jester
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars 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.

Report this review (#161552)
Posted Monday, February 11, 2008 | Review Permalink

JOHNNYTWENTYTHREE JXXIII ratings only


chronological order | showing rating only

Post a review of JOHNNYTWENTYTHREE JXXIII


You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.