The Man Is Dead, She’s So Hard and Dark Storm; no these aren’t some strange declarations, more like some creative collections from top, Aussie band ‘The Jezabels’ who after a few extended plays are now ready to launch their brand new LP; Prisoner. This band came together during their jam and cram sessions at the University of Sydney and after some serious studying Hayley Mary, Heather Shannon, Nik Kaloper and Samuel Lockwood are ready for their graduation. The Jezabels’ beautiful and deep sound mixed with perfect tinkles on the piano and some in-time rhythm guitar has given them opportunities for airplay, touring and award nominations. Still, now comes the real challenge as their CD gets ready to hit the shelves.
Prisoner opens up with the album’s title track, a freeing release that sounds epic enough to score big on movie soundtracks. This emotive track is full of heart and is as beautiful as the band’s frontwoman Hayley Mary. Still if you thought that looked and sounded good, wait until you hear Endless Summer that keeps the feeling of this band’s growing status and this gone season alive. This Australian band sound in concert with other big, epic, feel-good guitar bands Stateside with a sound that’s pitch perfect for an electrifying live show. The atmospheric, awe-inspiring feeling keeps on in Long Highway, a six-minute slow burner that’s effervescent and tailor made for a deep, long drive. As Hayley Mary sings lyrics with hail Mary passion, her Jezabels back like a beautiful choir. Then the band get off the beaten track on the upbeat one with Try Colour, a song that really brings light and shine to this artist’s disc.
The canvas continues with a classic look on the beautiful bloom of Rosebud. Mary’s vocals are unmistakeably unique and the bass lines water this track with life. As this band’s sound ascends, the only thing that comes down is the competition and the notion of them being a new band. Sydney’s sublime new stars do it for their hometown as Hayley shows she’s a ‘City Girl’ on another spark of evoking energy. Then these gender benders show they can’t be pigeon-holed on the big and bold Nobody, Nowhere. After the heights of Horsehead, the Australian act push the envelope further on Austerlitz with this deep, devoted love letter to their self-dubbed ‘intensindie’ genre. This cinematic influential, instrumental number is truly inspiring and intelligent. Deep Wide Ocean pours on more vast depths for these Jezabels. This seductive sound is controlled so well by the band’s leading lady.
After giving us more Peace Of Mind, a real Reprise is what you’ll be after and in the form of this and the classic Catch Me you’ve got it. Providing you can keep up with all the beauty on this album, you’ll really get to hear how good this band is sounding and looking. This up-and-coming band really show that they are ready for the throne of rock’s elite this fall. Australia are known for their great bands like AC/DC or INXS, but now this band are going to make their mark too. Not just here, but all around the world. Can you hear? The sound of a great band who after almost three years of three EPs now have a full album release that will lift them out of musical purgatory prison and have them walking the stages as free men and women. The key to the sound you’ve been needing lies with this album and the Jezabels. Music just got good again.
