GENE LOVES JEZEBEL: VII   Robison Records

By Jo-Ann Greene

 In the nearly two decades that have passed since Gene Loves Jezebel formed back in 1981, the group has undergone a dizzying array of changes - musical, personal and lineup. Yet each new incarnation brings fresh delights to the fore. 

Members have come, gone and in some instances returned, the music has shifted from gothic to glam and the sonics from roar to acoustic, but at its core, GLJ remains somehow true to its vision. 

VII is the band's seventh full-length (not counting live or best-of offerings). Even though the album features the classic lineup of singer/guitarist Jay Aston, guitarist James Stevenson, bassist Pete Rizzo and drummer Chris Bell, the Jezzies have undergone yet another major musical shift. Four of the tracks first appeared last year on Aston's solo album, Unpopular Songs (Pink Gun, U.K.). But these are anything but unpopular, as the singer discovered when he took them on tour a couple of years back. All have been rearranged and re-recorded, and two, "Love Keeps Dragging Me Down" and "Who Wants To Go To Heaven," are among the strongest on the record. 

Both capture the melancholy beauty that permeated much of VII. Little of the jubilant anthems of the band's '80s hits remain, although echoes can be found on the dance friendly "Uptown" and the pounding "Come Naturally." Instead, the Jezzies now sport a more muted approach. Some of the most startling songs, especially for fans who missed them live, are the ones that feature Aston's acoustic guitar, which adds a warmth and intimacy to the slower tempo numbers. 

As always, Stevenson steals the show. But forced back from the stadium edge (where he vied with Mick Ronson for searing leads), his intricate guitar work shimmers across the grooves. With the rhythm section providing a solid foundation. Stevenson conjures up a multitude of supple riffs and leads, spinning them into delicate atmospheres as fragile as a puff of breeze. Add Aston's own moody acoustic guitar, and VII may not have you yelping in the night, but it's sure to haunt your dreams regardless. 

Previous Article

Home

To 2000 Press