Jones – Let ‘Em Believe What They Wanna Believe

I have been waiting impatiently for this new music to arrive from one of the great North’s rockers Jones, for a while now. They hail from Edmonton Canada. Salam Jones and Jag Mollerup, a longstanding successful team, have been busy helping to make the band indie legends since the release of Bliss Itch. It was a bit more difficult playing the waiting game for me as I knew months ahead of time that Let ‘Em Believe What They Wanna Believe was in the works.

Salam is the fireplug that makes this musical machine move and Jag is right there laying the down the fiery guitar lines to propel her endless energy to the front of each track. Marlin Johnson (bass) and Greg Williamson of the legendary Tupelo Honey (drums) provide the solid rhythm section for Jag to drop his chords on.

The opening track on this solid six-song EP is electric. “Stirred But Unshakeable” is a statement. Salam belts this song out and she wears it well, reciting the title after each verse. As I have come to know this lady over time, I can see that the adage if the ‘shoe fits wear it’ applies here. She is always moving forward with her career and life regardless of obstacles that try their best to pull her off track. The Jones music takes on her personality and swagger convincingly.

“Arrows” has a great hook running throughout via Marlin’s superb bass lines and Jag does a nice job holding down the line while Salam gives every ounce of her soul up for the songâÂ?¦as usual. The funky guitar line pulls you in instantly and digs its heels in. “Heaven’s Junkyard,” which I thought was an interesting title, has some good lyrics that you can sink your teeth into and ponder a while. My first thought was that “Heaven’s Junkyard” might be another term for hell, if you read between the lines it certainly could be ones own personal place of damnation dependent on your perspective in life. My favorite track is “Hunger & Sweat,” it rocks with emotion and it is about the essence of life and love.

This CD takes a few listens to sink in. Salam made perfect sense when she commented, “It’s a slow burn.” Life can be that way sometimes; our patience will reap the rewards if we can wait for the good things to happen in their own time.

June 10, 2006

01. Stirred But Unshakeable (4:42)
02. Arrows (4:11)
03. Heaven’s Junkyard (4:21)
04. Whisper (3:55)
05. The Game That Never Ends (4:07)
06. Hunger & Sweat (4:16)