Pissed Jeans - Shallow (2005)

I caught Pissed Jeans last fall when they played with Boris in Brooklyn. My friend and I laughed at the name and thought they must suck. Names can do that sometimes. Even though I know better and absolutely love the Gorilla Biscuits, Modest Mouse, The Samuel Jackson Five and of course !!!. I know these bands are awesome, yet they picked bad names... It took a specific moment for me to realize they were actually good and look past their silly names... Such is the case for Pissed Jeans.

When Carl and I got to the show, in hopes of just seeing Boris and missing out on any shitty opening bands, we ended up walking in while Pissed Jeans was halfway through their set. And suddenly I was transfixed by the sound and the stage manner of the singer. He reminded me of David Yow, writhing and howling, bucking occasionaly and quickly won our nods of approval. The band also does its best Jesus Lizard impression, which for me is okay to try. There should be more bands like the Lizard, and certainly more depraved frontmen like David Yow. As of now, I know of two bands besides Pissed Jeans that effectively pull this off...The Young Widows and Black Elk, who have a bit more metal than YW or PJ.

Pissed Jeans bring a little more sludge into the mix, which is a wonderful thing and while not as good as JL, they have done quite a few good things. Shallow is one of them. They are set to release their new album on Sub Pop called Hope For Men, and despite their kooky name is a band worth seeing live.