Jackie-O Motherfucker

styles: experimental rock, indie rock
others: Junket

Fig. 5
Road Cone, 2000
rating: 6.5
reviewer: tamec

If nothing else, Jackie-O Motherfucker have a great band name. Road Cone's JOMF experimental artists are unlike anything that I've heard before. Unfortunately, being different and sounding cool does not always guarantee a stellar record.

Almost all the pieces consist of gentle plodding and hypnotic electronica, equipped with screeches and "what-the-hell-was-that?" effects in the background. But the exceptions are appreciated, as in their renditions of "Go Down, Old Hannah" and "Beautiful September". JOMF can craft instrumental songs that are interesting, but not interesting enough to make an entire album consisting of their weird, sometimes intolerable noodling. The plodding rhythms, squonks, and disembodied shimmers bury you. I find that if I play this album while napping or resting my eyes, I forget where I am.

Although, after listening to this album a few times, I had to wonder just how difficult it would be to make trance-like sequences like these. After all, it's not the squeaks and unidentifiable sounds that the huge list of instruments use that lend to its charm. It's the length and consistency of rhythms and tones that can pull you away from consciousness. And for all the bizarreness on this album, there really isn't as much creativity as there is pretentious weirdness. 

If you're after a hypnotic, strange bit of art-electronica, Fig. 5 is a solid purchase. If, however, you lack patience or the desire to forget your surroundings (under an influence probably advisable), give it a pass. It's your 10 bucks (direct).

1. Analogue Skillet
2. Native Einstein
3. Your Cells Are in Motion
4. Go Down Old Hannah
5. Amazing Grace
6. Beautiful September (We Are Going There) 
7. Chiapas! I Must Go There!
8. Michigan Avenue Social Club
9. Madame Curie