My memory says that Jawbox were the first Dischord band to sign to a major label. Maybe Shudder to Think did first, on paper, but I am pretty sure "Savory" and For Your Own Special Sweetheart came out first. And while the signing to a major did generate some conversation in this town back then, Jawbox seemed to have come out on top of that deal, never once sacrificing any of their goals as a group.
A document of a Chicago stop on their 2019 reunion tour, Live at Metro Chicago 2019 captures the power of this band live, and serves up a set-list of fan-favorites. Out now via Arctic Rodeo Recordings, the release reaffirms all the things we've loved for years about this quartet.
Opening with "Mirrorful", from Jawbox, their second Atlantic long-player, things kick into high gear immediately. "Grippe" from the album of the same name, takes things back to the early days, drummer Zach Barocas putting his own forceful spin on the drum-patterns (played by Adam Wade, later of Shudder to Think, on the original album). "Motorist", from For Your Own Special Sweetheart, still thrills. Kim Colletta's bass is thunderous here in spots, and it gives the song real force and heft. "Iodine", another fave of mine, is complex here, the 1996 original pushed into a more expansive shape here in this live rendition. "Chinese Fork Tie", also from the 1996 Jawbox, is a beast still, the drumming by Barocas kicking this into overdrive. "Cornflake Girl", the band's Tori Amos cover, and, of course, "Savory" sound like they brought the house down. Both of these benefit from the vocals of J. Robbins and Kim Colletta as much as they do from the playing of the quartet, though the guitar onslaught here owes a huge debt to Bill Barbot too.
Live at Metro Chicago 2019 is pure pleasure. There's nothing here that's not just exactly what I want to hear from this band, and what I've loved for decades. At more than 90 minutes in length, this is also a generous document too. Jawbox consistently did things on their own terms, and managed to successfully straddle both an indie label and a major, seemingly without selling out or compromising. And the reason is that their material was so sharp, so focused, and so relentlessly powerful. This is a wonderful document of every strength of this band, so play it as loud as you can.
Live at Metro Chicago 2019 by Jawbox is out now via Arctic Rodeo Recordings.
[Photo: Shane Gardner]