Sunday 30 September 2007

Jesu / Eluvium Split LP


Hydrahead Records / Temporary Residence Records
2007
Vinyl 12"


The second instalment of the Hydrahead / Temporary Residence collaborative series sees Jesu and Eluvium take one side of a limited LP each. The first instalment was an incredibly fast selling joint venture between two of Hydrahead and Temporary Residence's bigger names, Pelican and Mono, yet lacked new material, especially from Pelican. However, the second instalment promises to be much more interesting, more new material from Jesu (with a new direction) and a follow up to Matthew Cooper's beautiful 'Copia'.

Jesu are the bigger name in this package, despite the fact that all Godflesh and Napalm Death reference is pretty much irrelevant now, and Jesu has become a success story on its own. Recent releases 'Sliver' and 'Conqueror' were a lot more tuneful and melodic than 'Jesu' or 'Heartache', which didn't sit well with many fans. The barren drone, simple beats and melancholic vocals were replaced with a general increase in pace, almost cheesy lyrics and definite catchiness. Still unmistakably JK Broadrick, and still very good, but relatively unexpected. This split LP does nothing to change this trend however, the depth and bleakness is all but gone, and there is a very definite nod towards classic shoegaze artists such as My Bloody Valentine. Opener 'Farewell' is the weakest track sadly, ponderous and perhaps even irritating, but fortunately the rest of the Jesu side is good. A lot of the more unnecessary flourishes of Conqueror have gone, and the fuzzy yet clear sound that sums up Jesu is allowed to breath a bit more. Interestingly the tracks on this split are entirely at odds with the Sun Down / Sun Rise 12", which was by all means a fantastic return to type. This split LP is probably the best of the lighter side of Jesu, perhaps on an equal footing with the Silver EP, but most should stick with the Sun Down / Sun Rise 12"

For what could have initially been a closely matched pair, the Eluvium side of the this split could not be any more different. Matthew Cooper is joined by Jeremy Devine, and the tracks on this split don't have much in common with those of the most recent Eluvium record, Copia. Copia was a lush, dense and beautiful album with decadent classic orchestration that set it apart from the typical post rock crowd. 'Time Travel of the Sloth Parts I, II and III' is a lot more cut down that this, and is closer to Eluvium live shows. The track is a shifting, delicate wall of drone that sounds most like a piano led Growing. It's much lighter than say, Sunn O))), and slightly messy when compared with Growing, but the piano parts add a lot to the sound and when combined with the sometimes dramatic dynamics it creates an interesting piece of work. It isn't in the same league as Copia, its a very different thing all together, which is good rather than great.

Overall this split LP is a let down, JK Broadrick manages to turn in two good tracks that are far from his best and are perhaps more of an attempt to pursue a variety of material under the Jesu banner. The Eluvium material is better, yet far from essential. In fact since I started to write this, I have not gone back to this split and both Jesu and Eluvium remain firm favourites.

6 / 1 0


Notes

  • JK Broadrick has since released a further EP on Hydrahead, 'Lifeline', which features guest vocals from ex-Swans legend Jarboe.
  • Eluvium are due to make their first live appearances in the UK supporting frequent tour partners Explosions In The Sky for a UK tour.
  • Copia was one of my favourite albums of this year


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