From Iceland — Jet Black Joe - Full Circle

Published May 19, 2006

Despite its tendency to veer towards insipid clichés and some very dumb lyrics, Jet Black Joe’s return to the studio is tight, powerful and inspirationally short, relying mostly on straightforward rock melodies and brisk performances rather than succumbing to the complacent narcissism most of their contemporaries have sunk to, and even outdoes many younger bands. It’s also nice that the only truly bad songs on the album should be put back-to-back at the end, so you can just eject the CD after the first ten songs and be quite satisfied. Other than the brainless ending that cost them an entire beer, Full Circle is laced with sandy, bare-stripped guitar hooks, carnivorous riffs and ethereal vocal overdubs, and is a particularly satisfying return to form for Jet Black Joe, as sure to gladden old fans as it is to surprise skeptics.