Jesuit - Discography
. . .
The Jesuit Discography (Magic Bullet, 2011) will amount to a disc of bonus tracks to most who listen to it. The only reason it exists in this compiled and remastered form, gorgeous artwork and all, is because bassist Nate Newton and guitarist Brian Benoit went on to join Converge and The Dillinger Escape Plan, respectively. The art is covered with breasts, and the package is stuffed with extras; the anime community calls this kind of pandering “fanservice”.
That’s fine. Fanservice is meant to be invigorating like Discography is. Jesuit stomped and screamed with frantic energy. Simple chance pumped songs full of unpredictability and danger; this is why some prefer demo tapes.
The smartest decision behind this disc was tracking it in reverse-chronological order, which allows for maximum catharsis at the end and encourages a steady listen. The compilation descends into incoherent blasts of mingled riffage and warbling feedback. By the end, I felt like I was in a room with Hitchcock’s birds flying into walls, pecking at my face and flecking every surface with shit.
Discography is not particularly unique, though. Newton and Benoit left for more mind-bending pastures, even if they developed their styles in Jesuit. It is also yet more evidence that attitude and great songwriting are not the same thing: the best song is the cover of Black Sabbath’s “Hole in the Sky”. After listening to it, I’d put money down that Converge and Dillinger’s track record of incredible covers originates from Benoit and Newton. Luckily for us, they learned to be excellent songwriters in their own right after Jesuit went kaput.
. . .
JESUIT SCHOOL
“The Smooth Talking Son of a Bitch”
[audio: JESUIT_SMOOTH.mp3]
“Hole in the Sky”
[audio: JESUIT_HOLE.mp3]
. . .
JESUIT STORE
Amazon (CD)
Amazon (MP3)
Magic Bullet (CD, many vinyl flavors)
Vinyl pr0n photos & full release details
. . .
