Clear and precise, the riffs of Jawbox are distinctive. The players here -- J. Robbins, Kim Coletta, Zach Barocas, and Brooks Harlan (in this new line-up) -- approach their music with a seriousness of intent that never slips into something heavy-handed. The cuts on the new EP, The Revisionist may be recastings of old classics (and a Wire one), but the songs retain the fire and coiled energy of this band's best early material back on Dischord Records.
This new recording of "Grip" from 1991's Grippe is still fresh, maybe even cleaner and leaner in this 21st century version. Robbins' voice pierces through the rawk with the usual command, while the bass of Coletta anchors things with admirable force, even as Barocas hits the skins in a way that makes them sound like they're right behind your head. Newcomer (to this crew) Brooks Harlan earns his stripes by cranking up the chords and making this one soar. A version of "Consolation Prize", also originally from Grippe (1991), is a miracle of tension here, an ebbing-then-roaring workout of maximum riffage. A cover of Wire's classic "Lowdown" works very well as the EP's closer, the number now sounding like this lot wrote it. Here in 2023, The Revisionist reminds just how essential Jawbox remain.
The Revisionist EP by Jawbox is out now on vinyl and download.
[Photo: Janet Morgan]