On the surface, Jack Off Jill are a goth band. When you listen to 'Sexless Demons and Scars', however, you're in for a surprise. The musical side of JOJ is decidedly rock'n'roll, whilst the lyrical and emotional side is certainly more 'goth'. While Mr Marilyn Manson gave a helping hand with JOJ's early career, leave the expectations of any MM influence at the door. This record is pure rock'n'roll. Combining punk energy with heavy basslines and scathing gritty guitars, Jessicka squeals her way through the album's thirteen tracks, ranging from cutesy grrly vocals to full-on screaming which makes you think she's being tortured. Imagine early Beach Boys (no, really!), Marilyn Manson's imagery mixed in with a "fuck-you" attitude; add Jessicka J Jinxed's lispy-seven-year-old innocence and cutesy voice and you're half way to the JOJ sound.
In a time where there are so many carbon-copy bands out there, perhaps we should take a step back and start relishing in the good music that we've had the opportunity to listen to. *Jack Off Jill *were certainly an interesting, if not bizarre band that surely deserved some more recognition than they achieved. If only they could have shaken off the 'Goth' tag, maybe more people would be willing to listen to this admirable debut CD.
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8Jo Beth's Score