The first impression Jackknifed & Slaughtered gives you, as heralded by the macabre album title itself, is one of bristling threat. It’s as if The Tenebrous Liar don’t want you to listen to them because they fear you won’t be able to take it. You won’t be able to handle the truths enclosed, and you’ll end up as some quivering, emotionally scarred wreck in a hospital ward.
Musically it’s fuzzy, messy and unenticing. They serve up their bleak message with feedback, atonal, doom-laden electric guitars, and with a singer wailing like a man who has lost a long, vicious battle with his sanity.
I have to say, it’s not really my cup of tea, BUT it’s an intriguing listen. There is real quality here…though it’s somewhat lost on me. Promise too, and with each listen the sense of threat become more provocative and inviting. It’s hard to take your eyes off a horrific sight, even if it’s painful to watch.
They’re reminiscent of an early, punkier Joy Division albeit with Nick Cave at the vocals, and the Melody Maker photographer Steve Gullick who broke grunge on bass. The point being that Joy Division became one of the greatest bands of all time, and the same could be said for The Tenebrous Liar.
Maybe that’s a little over-optimistic. Steve Gullick will almost certainly always be better remembered for his link to Seattle and grunge than for his work with The Tenebrous Liar. They’re getting on a bit too. With the exception of Nick Cave and The Flaming Lips few bands bloom as they get past their 30s.
Time will tell of course, but I would urge you to give this a listen. Perseverance is needed and will be rewarded.
Release Date 25/01/2010 (Pid)
I started out writing for the Manchester Evening News as a freelance journalist back in 2008. The idea that I would be given free access to music and gigs seemed somehow miraculous to me, and I proceeded to take full advantage of the situation. When the M.E.N. decided to constrict its coverage to only the very biggest bands, Simon Poole approached me with a plan to make sure that all the very talented musicians of this world that pass through and/or live in Manchester would not go unnoticed. As the New Releases editor here at Silent Radio Towers, it remains my proud duty to cast a critical eye over the music and reviews that come my way in a manner that is both supportive and fair. Above all, I strive to write as entertainingly possible. Favourite musicians include the Pixies, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Mercury Rev, Os Mutantes, The Knife, Beach House etc etc. I'm a firm believer that all genres (except nu-metal) contain music of great quality...
