Stay Clean Jolene

Stay Clean Jolene (2014)

RENALDO69

For fans of Leatherface and Hüsker Dü, this is made for you. Fellow reviewer Rich got me into Stay Clean Jolene's 7-inch in 2012, and it's the last line in his review that stuck with me -- "My interest is certainly aroused from these three songs and I eagerly await a full-length from this band." Well, all expectations are met. It's a grueling punk-tastic album that kicks around themes such as romance, friendship and all good things Americana.

The album's a frenetic, energetic kick in the teeth filled with big hooks and rasping solos. Rife with huge licks and heavy, dense, jaw-slapping bass lines, it's got a brilliant melody to it. The rhythms on tracks like "One Hundred" highlight how big their sound is and how much it's grown from already impressive teases in the past. John Dagger's gruff, raspy and telling vocals work so well on fast-paced, upbeat punk bangers like "Heads & Breakables" and "Concrete Block" -- both amazing choices to open the record with. Lovely 1-2 combo. On the former, opening with the salvo of 'Who are ya? Where are ya now?' arrests you. Demanding your attention which is captured throughout the remainder of the album.

This self-titled never lets up and is a remarkable debut. Even with low-tempo breathers and interludes here and there, Stay Clean Jolene have done immense justice to critics who made it known why this band should be on your radar. They reconcile so many musical influences yet make a sound that entraps you. More so, it's a sound that's their own and John Dagger's a big reason for this. He uses his mates' solid musicianship to make a punk record that deserves to squeeze into year-end lists already made.