Album Of The Week: Journalism’s Faces

In life there is irony in everything if you look closely enough. For example, getting a boot on your car and  you’re wearing boots on your feet. Perhaps even a dog biting you in the ass while you’re walking around in the Mianus neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut. Ok, maybe that last one is a little far-fetched, but I’ll tell you where I’m going with this. As a journalist I find it  fairly ironic that I’m reviewing an album by a band from Brooklyn called Journalism. Usually this use of wit from a band doesn’t equate with stellar music, but it turns out their debut album, Faces, is fantastic with killer riffs and infectious rhythms.

Faces is the manifestation of hard work from a band that has been doing it their own way since frontman Kegan Zema and ex-bassist Owen Keiter started Journalism back in 2012 with New York University classmates Brendan Mahan on drums and ex-guitarist Dara Hirsch. Nowadays Nico Hedley plays bass and Mike Green plays guitar; together these four create sonically inclined rock music that crushes. Exuberant amounts of energy with a sound that shifts between surf rock and post-punk. It’s unique but accessible — there’s an enviable fine line these guys walk to create incredible sounds. In a short time this quartet writes songs like the most seasoned of pros, and I’m feverishly anticipating what’s next.

With a name like Journalism, I can’t help but wonder what this band will think of this review. I’m not one to be self-conscious, but when a band adopts the name of my chosen profession then I don’t want to disappoint them. What won’t disappoint you are my top tracks off of my Album Of The Week:

Going more toward the post-punk route is “Denim Jesus,” a slightly tripped-out track with steady drumming coming from Mahan and exciting rhythms. “Faces I” is a rhythmic tornado that is going to electrify your body when the chorus hits. You will be dancing in seconds right after you press play. A sweet bass line from Hedley starts off “Night Of The Knife,” and then Green rips everything apart on guitar. Pristine tones are abundant in this one and your ears will be pleased.

Journalism has a trio of shows coming up in support of their debut, Faces, starting at The Silent Barn in Brooklyn on March 4, March 6 at O’Brien’s  Pub in Allston, Massachusetts, and at Paradise Lost in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on April 1 (also known as April Fools Day). All the folks in the Northeast should hit up at least one of these shows because if Journalism are as good live as their debut is, then it should be a fun time. Until they hit your neighborhood, grab a copy of Faces from Journalism when it comes out on March 4. It’s an album you can listen to and there’s no reading required.

Stream “Faces I” and pre-order Faces on Bandcamp: journalism.bandcamp.com/track/faces-i

Journalism’s Website: journalismband.com