A Review or Something #4: Converge - Jane Doe

Happy Anniversary, Beloved

People have said anything and everything about this album when it comes to the performances, the progressions, the themes. I can't really add anything new other than I airdrum so fucking hard to this, I look like a goddamn fool. It jams and Bannon's voice only gets me pumped more than I already am from the heavy, frenetic riffs. First time listening, I was NOT prepared for him screaming "I'LL STAY GOOOLD" on Concubine and those blast beats pummeling my eardrums and reverberating through my skull. The rest of the album is a trek through some dude's mind contemplating his relationship in flames. From the haunting, Slint-like ruminations on Hell to Pay to the venomous hatred on Phoenix in Flight/Flames, and with the finale of the title track ringing in my ears with Bannon's vulnerable cries of "I WANT OUT!" I feel like this shit needs a standing ovation or something. Like, holy Christ dude.

This project is littered with highlights throughout its runtime. The first instance of Bannon's clean vocals of the album on Distance and Meaning are uttered in a venomous snarl; you can feel the hatred, the viscera of a failed love affair in its full glory. And then we got Homewrecker, which dare I say, had the most potential as a single. That melody within the hook's riffage is damn near anthemic with how it drags you through a trail of needles and broken glass. And of course, the cacophony of Thaw cuts through the mix like a hot, scalding knife through skin. Those leads pierced my brain like a bitch, and I wanted more.

The beauty of music is in its interpretation and relatability. Regardless of the original context intended, you can apply this to any sort of event/situation/whatever in your life and let it naturally affect you in that way. Relationship troubles are all too common, but something else could be bugging you relating to work, family or simply personal struggles. Whatever the case may be, that burning frustration, angst or devastation culminates in the ultimate sonic catharsis that is this album. Plus with the barely intelligible vocals, you can imagine whatever contextually appropriate words you want there. How convenient.

Anyways, I rambled enough. This album is perfect. Listen to it.