faith in jane - faith in jane

Faith In Jane

Faith In Jane
self-released; 2014

3.3 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Forming in 2009 Faith In Jane originally played music that was a hybrid of reggae and punk. The band consists of Dan Mize (guitar and focal), Alex Llewellyn (drums) and Brendan Winston (bass). Their style would eventually mutate into a much heavier sound. To be precise they make sludge metal that lies somewhere between Black Sabbath and Spinal Tap. On their recent self-titled album Faith In Jane they produced six songs that only a certain breed of metal fans will appreciate. 

The EP sounds very live and not always in a good way. This is the band in its purest form but I think some cosmetic treatment may help some of the visceral impact of the songs. Mize’s vocals often sound appropriately exaggerated as if he is channeling stereotypes of what type of singer you might expect behind this music. He has a lot of inflection in in his voice and often sounds like some odd variation of Eddie Vedder. Musically, the band has some talent both technically and creatively.

The album starts out with somewhat of an intro called “Jane.” It a slow moving instrumental piece that revolves around a lead guitar but wouldn't have sounded as good as it did if it wasn't for the creative bass line. The second song “Antietam” is when the band starts to flex their muscles and grind out some heavy riffs that feel right at home with crunchy ‘70s metal. The riffs and delivery aren't terribly original but gets the jobs done.

The band starts to delve into more complex material with the nine-plus-minute “Brethren of the Coast.” It’s also apparent towards the end of the song that the band isn’t completely over their reggae phase when they bust into a riff that sound more like something you would hear from Bob Marley. Their deviation into reggae didn't make much sense and sounded out of place.

I was impressed by the pure length of the closing songs. You don't hear of too many three-piece metal bands pulling off twelve-to-thirteen minute songs but they do it and it doesn't feel too drawn out.

There is still a bit of tweaking that needs to be done for these guys too be a force to be reckoned with but they maybe on their way. One thing I would definitely do if I was them is leave some of the reggae tendencies they have behind them.

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