bigcoolguy.com

I read a review of The Juliana Theory's Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat in The Canberra Times quite a few months ago. It was a very positive review that emphasised the band's credentials as a straightforward rock act. A few weeks ago I saw a copy of Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat in a CD store and decided to give it a try. Yet again, my first listen left me a little cold but things improved...

The Juliana Theory are indeed a rock band. The opening track This Is A Lovesong... For The Loveless virtually explodes out of your speakers. Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat is a tad heavier than most of the music I listen to these days. That said, it is laced with emo-pop-rock (e.g. Live), pub-rock and indie jangle. Hard to categorise... interesting and pleasant listening...

Interesting that I should mention Live, since there is a tenuous connection. Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads) who produced Live's Throwing Copper also produced The Juliana Theory's previous studio album Love. There are definitely similarities between the 2 bands.

Strong songs? This Is A Lovesong... For The Loveless is a great opener. I like My Heart Is A Soldier and 10,000 Questions. Actually, to draw another parallel these 2 songs remind me of Collective Soul, although somehow more interesting and less commercial than that band. Anyway, there's nothing on the album that I dislike.

I really like this album. It's quite different to most other stuff in my collection, so it is getting a lot of listens lately when I'm after something a bit heavier. Would I buy another album? Not sure... I'd have to have a listen. Apparently The Juliana Theory have now disbanded so it'd have to be something out of their back-catalogue...