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I am a big Juliana Theory fan.
Funnily enough, it all started back in early 2006 with a track off this album: "Shotgun Serenade", which featured on the Rock Sound sampler cd. Sadly, I must have been the only one who heard this track, as the album didn't sell very well, and any attempts at releasing a single bombed (no one I know has ever even heard of this group outside my close circle of friends, who I introduced Juliana to).
But it doesn't matter. Although it would have been fantastic for them to become the next big thing (and let's face, with this album they should have!), I'm kind of glad they didn't. They feel like my band, and I feel that I belong to a sort of small, special club.
So, to paraphrase an older Juliana classic (I'll let you figure out which for yourself), I want to be selfish.
The Juliana Theory are one of my favourite bands of all time, and believe me, the list is long. And they are right near the very top.
Why? Listen to this.
From the first track (the spitting, vitriolic break up anthem "This Is A Lovesong...For The Loveless") to the last (the gentle, haunting hidden track "Her Velvet Voice"), this is an absolute corker.
Although its true every release by this band has been of serious quality, Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat was the first album (and sadly the last) to approach genuine five-star greatness (although debut album "Understand This Is A Dream" and EP "Music From Another Room" follow only a short way behind). Not quite perfect, but ridiculously close.
The Juliana Theory were always a great band, with great songs and terrific musicianship. Take for example "Shotgun Serenade". Starting out gentle and melodic, with an acoustic vibe, singer Brett Detar absolutely excels himself, going from gentle croon ala City and Colour to jaded punk rocker along the lines of early My Chemical Romance in the space of about five seconds. Its hard to put down in writing, but the transition from the soft, acoustic intro to a full on punk rock throttle is spellbinding, and this is genuinely an amazing song. Plus the whole thing is stupendously catchy. Think of MCR's "I'm Not Okay", but with an actual song structure and tighter musicianship. Plus clever lyrics. Brilliant.
But this album is not all about snarling anger. Oh no! When this goes gentle, its just as absorbing.
"White Days", a song from previous album "Love", appears to set the benchmark for the majority of this release. "I Love You To Death (Drive Safe)" is wonderful, as is the aforementioned stunner "Her Velvet Voice", the hidden track. Both these songs seep into your subconscious, hypnotising you into a welcome reverie. Again, hard to explain!
Now I'm not going to break down this album track by track. Its been done before, and it will be done again.
All you need to know is that "Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat" is a masterful *sigh* "emo" *sigh* rock album, with not one song hitting the mark below a four star rating. I know that I have written many five-star reviews, but I make a habit of only reviewing the music or films that I love, unless a different sort of strong reaction envelops me.
Also, in spite of my admitedly lazy comparisons, there is no similarity between My Chemical Romance and The Juliana Theory. But if you like early MCR, there is a very strong chance you might likewise dig the anger in this album. Otherwise, Juliana are peerless.
And I love this album.
So if you are new to The Juliana Theory, and are unfortunate enough to not have known them during their existence (I know I am), then you could do worse than begin your Juliana journey here. In fact, start here and work backwards. It is all good.
4.9/5 (not entirely perfect, but it deserves the full five for the most part, if anybody is asking. It loses a slight point for the sometimes frustrating mix- the vocals often sound like they are stuck underneath the music. So, small gripes then!).
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