Joe and the Jungle

Now and again we’ll receive an album from a band that doesn’t necessarily fit the “stoner rock” mold that Heavy Planet prides itself on making its primary focus. Depending on how far off the sludgy path the band wanders, we may or may not feature their music on this site. Consider this a disclaimer…Joe and the Jungle’s Broken Amps and Fuzz Boxes is by far the furthest I have strayed from the genre we know and love in my coverage of all that is doomy and gloomy. So if your only musical interest lies in down tuned, chugging guitars, slow as molasses riffing and guys with beards grown to their knees, then perhaps you should go ahead and skip ahead to the next blog post.

For those of you who don’t mind a little guitar wankery, a drum solo shoved smack in the middle of a song and a singer with the capability to do just that…sing (in addition to screaming his balls off), well then you’ve come to the right place. My friends, Joe and the Jungle are here to put some L.A. sleaze back into rock n roll. Coming at ya straight off the Sunset Strip by way of New York City, the band is led by Joe Reilly, who does a little bit of everything on this album…lead vocals, guitar on a few tracks, bass on a few others…hell, the guy even takes a turn on the drums on a couple of the songs. The Jungle features a revolving cast of musicians including Reilly’s primary cohort on the project, Brian Edwards, a multi-instrumentalist whose impact is noticeable in one way or another on every single track on Broken Amps and Fuzz Boxes. This guy plays piano, organ, harmonica, cowbell, trumpet, sings backup on pretty much every song and even takes over lead on one of them. To say he’s the yin to Reilly’s yang would be an understatement.

So by now you all must be thinking “yeah, yeah that’s all well and good, but if it isn’t stoner rock, then what the hell is it?” To that I’d say, imagine if you threw Guns n’ Roses, Cheap Trick and The Beatles into a blender and added a dash of The Sex Pistols for flavor…the resulting mess would be Joe and the Jungle. From the album's opener “Protester”, an up-tempo rocker with pounding drums, shredding guitar work and some fantastic organ…which, come to think of it, does bring to mind an element of stoner rock….to its closer “How Long Shall We Dance?”, a ballad that you might hear at an 8th grade dance, Fuzz Boxes is one helluva rock n roll ride.

According to the album notes, this thing is actually a rock opera of sorts, involving pretty much all the staples of a great rock n roll record…rebellion, love, death, the afterlife…it's all here. Highlights include the mellow, sing-along "Music Box in My Head", the punk rock explosion that is "Gina", complete with that devastating mid-song drum solo, and "1776" which would sound right at home in the arena rock heyday of the 1970's. Both "Solitary Confinement" and "Manchester" bring to mind the Beatles…and I mean the tripped out White Album Beatles, not that "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" bullshit. And just listen to the scathing attitude that's apparent on "Oil Revolution"…you can just see Reilly wearing a snarl as he screams "revolution…we don't have to take this shit".

Joe and the Jungle makes me think about what Velvet Revolver could have been if Scott Weiland wasn't such a candyass. Or maybe what it would have sounded like if GnR had dropped the cocaine in favor of dropping a little acid instead. These guys remind me of a time when rock music was a little dangerous and the musicians playing it tiptoed on the edge of disaster. Is Broken Amps and Fuzz Boxes stoner rock? No…but it's a damn good rock album that you need to check out. - Heavy Planet

Classic garage rock and jam band ingredients - with hints of Pink Floyd down tempo interludes, this debut album says "Like us or not, this is how we rock." The track "Protester" starts off the album with non-conformist lyrics and in-your-face solos, while "Special Place" shows their mellow counterpart. But it's Gina that really sets the tone with a fast paced. surf-style drum solo that builds the track back up. Zeppelin and White Stripes very prevalent here. For fans who miss when musician's had the balls to rock and the the courage to gently roll. Perhaps they should stick to just rock. (8 stars out of 10) - MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE - Andy Mesecher

Described by the band themselves as a ‘three-act tale’ encompassing revolution, love and war, and made collaboratively by a variety of musicians swapping tracks across the interweb, (loosely) LA-based Joe and The Jungle certainly aren’t your average bunch of bored kids with guitars.

I have to admit that the idea of a coherent story over three acts doesn’t quite translate immediately when you listen to it – if you want to view it that way, you do have to look for that yourself. But it’s certainly a coherent album, even with the wide variation in ideas and composition, with some damn good tracks.

Varying from some Queens of The Stone Age mescaline stomp (Cry Little Girl), Beatles-y pop hooks (Music Box In My Head), slightly sleazy rock-out (Protester) and a bit of issue-based commentary (Oil Revolution), there’s a broad spectrum here that makes this an album that may take a few listens to really digest, but can be quite rewarding if you do.

I’m not sure I quite like the vocal production, comes across a bit fuzzy to my ears, but that’s a minor complaint. This isn’t an album for all tastes, but it’s an engaging slice of alt-rock for those that like a bit more thought behind their walls of guitar.

www.joeandthejungle.com - PureRawk.com - Sexy Dave

Great new rock albums are becoming as rare as rocking horse shit, so when an album comes along as good as “Broken Amps And Fuzz Boxes” it would appear wise to listen. Led by Joe Reilly, who had the good fortune to meet fellow songwriter Brian Edwards at university, Joe And The Jungle kick out some serious jams on their debut, making the most of some strong songs, and never wandering too far away from the tunes.

It begins with “Protester”; a wah-wah pedal is turned up and the scene is set. “Gina” might be my favourite with its unyielding riffage and uncomplicated lyricism - it would have sounded at home on the Dead Boys’ “Young, Loud And Snotty” record. When they slow it down they’re equally delightful. “Mourning Lullaby” employs a little Carni’ spirit, but sounds just as heavy as anything else of the record.

If you like the idea of a band with the melodic range of Foo Fighters, the attitude of late ‘60s Detroit and a singer who doesn’t recognise limits, you should check out Joe And The Jungle. Plentiful links provided below.
www.reverbnation.com/joeandthejungle
Rob F. - Leicester Bangs - Rob F.

A band based out of New York City but now residing Los Angeles, Joe and the Jungle have come blazing into the music world with a sound that is largely 80’s, a dash of the 60’s and 70’s, and mixed nicely with a modern sound that most folks consider good. Joe Reilly, the creative force behind Joe and the Jungle, and his army of talented musicians offers us the album Broken Amps and Fuzz Boxes. There is, however, nothing broken or fuzzy about it.

“Protester” introduces the masses to Joe’s voice right away, but Tom Asvold on drums will be what grabs attention first. Aggressive and tribal, the beat sets the tone for the entire track, which is vibrant, wild, and full of energy. It is obvious from the start that Joe and the Jungle run rampant with talent; these guys just know what they’re doing. “Special Place” is a melodic piece that has a hard hitting 80’s hair bands rhythm. The effects are impressive and the sound quality is exceptional. Joe’s vocals could be more pronounced, but the overall effect is one of controlled mayhem and musical perfection.

“Music Box In My Head” takes the album in a different direction with a mellow rhythm and Joe’s soft vocals, letting the listener appreciate what a talent he has. Joe Maisonave on the bass does a great job keeping the sound in check, and Reilly on lead guitar is nothing short of amazing. Each member of this band gets a chance to shine during this track and this is when the listener may begin to really love Joe and the Jungle. “Gina” hits hard and rocks with total abandon. This track has a punk vibe to it and Brett Middleton on drums is simply phenomenal.

The album continues to impress with “Solitary Confinement,” a slower track that carries a vibe of calmness, mostly in the guitar work. Sliding symphonies of beautiful sound, both with the guitar and vocals, this piece is full of emotion and haunting harmonies. “`1776” changes things up a bit, featuring Brian Edwards on lead vocals, which is a refreshing change, especially with Joe Reilly adding his own contributions in the background. There is a heavier feel here, and Edwards’ voice is well suited for the task. The instrumentation is once more excellent throughout and the sound is clean and clear.

“Oil Revolution” features Reilly’s vocals in prime form and the incredible talent he surrounds himself with in Brett Middleton on drums and Mikael Tillander Planefeldt on bass. With a stinging rebelliousness, Joe and the Jungle make heads bang and devil horns fly with this one. “Hand of a Woman” slows it down with the sound of the ocean and seagulls as the intro. This piece is a little trippy and Joe’s vocals are entirely different in this track. He sounds mellow and smooth and seductive. Fans might want to hear more of this side of Reilly. The instrumentation and overall vibe of this track is one of dreaminess and relaxation. One of the most artistic pieces on the album, this track is intricate and pleasing.

“Mourning Lullaby” continues on in this vein, with Joe’s vocals sounding smoother and more seductive than his rougher alter ego. The beat is catchy, with a fascinating gypsy feel. Something Eastern European, perhaps. “Cry Little Girl” brings back the vocals of the Joe Reilly that we’ve grown to know and love, with his rugged screaming and smooth crooning. His crew of talented musicians follow suit and provide some cutting edge drumbeats, guitar licks, and bass lines. “Manchester” once more slows the pace down and Joe is back to his melodic calm self as he sings softly, accompanied by Tom Asvold on drums and Martin Gustafsson on lead guitar. This track is soothing and lovely and beautifully composed. Listeners will see a side to Joe and the Jungle that was not made evident before hearing this song.

Broken Amps and Fuzz Boxes closes with “How Long Shall We Dance,” an upbeat number that leaves us with a sense of hopefulness and sweet sadness. Joe and the Jungle is clearly a band of talented musicians that work extraordinarily well together and have the power to create music that is original and endearing. What they have given with this offering is a plethora of sounds and a perfect balance between vocals and instrumentation. It is evident that Joe Reilly is the voice behind the music, but the music is not lost. In fact, the music is first and foremost, and Joe simply helps it along with his voice, which is the way it should be with bands who know what they’re doing. And Joe and the Jungle most certainly do. The talent and experience that this band possesses is staggering and they know exactly how to use it.

Review by Rhonda Readence
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5) - ReviewYou.com - Rhonda Readence