Review: Jeromes Dream - S/T Album
August 2nd, 2019
Being a Jeromes Dream fan for many years now, if you would've told me they were going to get back together, record an album, and tour... I would've said you're crazy, but that would be so sick! As many of you know it happened! It's funny. When you think about it, it's rare to have certain sub-genre of sub-genre of sub-genre band come back to life and pull something like that off. Essentially what they did was throw the idea out and we the people spoke! Folks have supported the tour, new album, and give many the opportunity to see a great band that, whether you like to admit it or not, influenced so many to write music and bring joy to people's lives.
I was fortunate enough to catch their gig in Chicago thanks to a fellow JD nerd and close friend and it was a transformative experience. Yes, I understand it's a bit overdramatic to use such terminology, but that band blew my mind as an emotionally mixed up young adult. Their music helped me cope in regard to mental health as I was figuring myself and my life out. Everyone has those bands and JD was that for me and quite a few other folks that I know.
Getting the opportunity to stand around and chat with the members and letting them know how much their music helped us and influenced us to pick up an instrument felt almost like an odd sense of closure. It's almost as if the end of their song thirty dollar bill was playing as we exited the venue. What they created all those years ago helped us out so much and getting the opportunity to let them know how their music helped folks in immeasurable ways, gave me a sense of returning the favor. After talking the guys in the band, they made large sacrifices to make this all happen, so I hope they don't feel like it's all in vain.
Anyways, the new album. JD left us with Presents back in the day, which is a hit or miss for some folks. It's a taste thing and I respect that completely. I personally loved everything about that album and find it to be flawless. When I heard the band was going to record a new album, I was curious what it was going be like.
Upon first listen, it picked up where Presents left off. The sound has matured, but it has all the classic JD elements that made the band so beautiful, discordant, and abrasive. It has the sense urgency that the band carried throughout their entire career. It still cradled all those sensibilities sonically, creating the feeling of a sense musical armor that allows one to land soft or hit the ground hard. I also hear sense triumph in sound. It's almost like it's opening up a new chapter shouting the perspective gained over the years since the initial demise.
After experiencing this album live, I have a greater appreciation for it. I picked up the album at the gig and spun it 3 times front to back this afternoon. I felt compelled to just express how wonderful of an experience this band has given so many and I hope the above does it justice.
#jeromesdreamforever <3