It would be wrong not to acknowledge Jarboe and Justin Broadrick for some of the amazing music they have created in the past. In addition to her legendary work with NYC indie noise pioneers SWANS, Jarboe has collaborated with the likes of BILL LASWELL, JIM THIRLWELL of FOETUS and NEUROSIS. Furthermore she has worked with visual artists in film and photography, developing into a performance artist and not just a singer per se. Justin Broadrick is best known for his bands GODFLESH, an industrial combo, as well his more recent psychedelic project JESU.

Despite the impressive resume of this duo, it takes strong nerves to make it to the end of the highly experimental "J2". The opener " Decay" consists of a 7 minute chant. At first, one may think the CD has a scratch on it due to the robotic repetition and lack of changes. But this is intended to bring the listener into a state of trance, I presume.

Following the marathon drone, the album continues with the more trip-hop sounding "Let Go" recalling MASSIVE ATTACK, and the dark wave sounds of "Magicgrl". Of course, Jarboe has a beautiful voice and gives the album her trademark frightening, mysterious edge. But it's more a record suitable for playing in the background at an art gallery or a gothic yoga lesson. It's a 6-song full-length, so obviously the focus is long songs and trancy effects. Even for the experimental rock fan, "J2" is a lot to endure. It's up to you if you want to go with this flow.

- Michels

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/jarboeliving

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