Your reviewer previously encountered the 1-track promo version of his excellent debut EP when JUXTAPOSITION made their first Irish visit back in October.
Now, just in time to fill seasonal stockings, we get the complete 25 minute, 5-tracker in all its' glory, featuring the loping splendour of the bulk of Juxtaposition's current live set.
One of the things that struck me on catching this quartet live was the way their songs gradually creep up on you, perfecting a subtle seduction that will ensure their material will stand up in the future.
The 5 tracks here comfortably bear out this line of thinking, with songs like "Tough Skin" and the (now) familiar "Take A Holiday" proving that Juxtaposition aren't afraid to let some exhilarating pop into their undulating post-rock sound.
Musically, Juxtaposition are first rate, too. Lee Mallinson's superb drumming and Jonie Saunders' nimble basslines form a consistently fluid backbone for Will Saunders to trade strum and E-bow scree with James Mallinson. Indeed, the stinging, mountain spring quality of the guitars is one of the freshest things this writer has witnessed this year: the instrumental exit of "Take A Holiday" remains a favourite 2002 set piece around these parts.
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Juxtaposition are clearly keen not to impose limitations either. The gently somnambulent "The Organist" and the likeably dour "Useless And Roses" suggest keyboards are equally welcome in the group's oeuvre, while Will Saunders' wonderful lyrical flights are pregnant with possibility. The beautifully surreal landscape of "Tough Skin" never ceases to fascinate, while in "I placed your fingers in the mouth of a sleeping lion" ("Chutney") they have one of the great intro lines any year you care to mention.
This five-tracker is one of the most dignified and intriguing guitar debuts this writer has heard for some time. I'm sticking my neck out, but I feel in my bones that Juxtaposition's distinctive (and not easily categorisable) sound will be making much bigger noises during 2003.
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