UTP Album Review: Jr. Juggernaut - Wake

Jr. Juggernaut have a knack for taking a dark subject, and writing a song about it that will get caught firmly in your head. Take, for example, "Lit By Winter", from their debut album, Ghost Poison:

It's a beautiful night, lit by the winter, moon sparkles off of the fallen snow

I saw you standing at the edge of the driveway, you did not know, you did not know 

Harmless enough, right? The song's about stalking a girl, but the hook is so catchy. 

Towards the middle of their second album, Wake, you'll encounter "Give Me My Son". It's got a driving beat, a chorus that's pretty easy to sing along to, and a fearsome guitar solo. The joys of being a father, and then losing your son in war:  

Don't blame your father, although he pushed you

Or the recruiter in the high school gym

I blame myself for not trying to stop you

I blame god, if he even exists

Released by Paper + Plastick (don't worry, you'll get the vinyl before their third album comes out), Wake continues the driving, 90s alt-rock sound that Jr. Juggernaut established on Ghost Poison; A little bit less pop-fueled than the Gin Blossoms or the Goo Goo Dolls, a little less weird than Pavement. Mike Williamson's lead guitar work envokes a lot of 90s alt-rock as well, especially copping some tones from J Mascis. 

Continuing the trend of catchy mope, "Tonight, Come Home" deals with divorce, the first half of the song being told from the wife's point of view, and post-solo from the husband's. "Breath On Bone" is a soul search that gives off a strong Neil Young vibe, especially the song's main riff. "Older Than My Father" is probably the heaviest song on the album, musically, lyrically dealing with memories of a deceased father.

Perhaps the coolest thing about this album isn't the music, but the actual artwork. P+P have stated that a mirror will be incorporated into the jacket, and are screen-printing the artwork onto the mirrors. I guess this allows you to overlap your face into that already creepy-ass one when you grab this off your shelf. 

If you enjoy Cheap Girls, this should be a must buy for your record collection.  Give it a listen here.

Pressing information: 500 vinyl, all with screen printed mirrors. 100 white, 100 black, 300 black/white mix. P+P says these will ship 9/25. Digital available now via iTunes or P+P's site.