The Juliana Theory

Item: Love
Author: Trae Cadenhead

Love

(2003)

Reviewed by Trae Cadenhead

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Label EpicThe Phantom TollboothAugust 2002

alternative rock emo post-hardcore

The new Juliana Theory disc is bound to be a surprise to long-time fans. The band was a favorite of many beginning with their emo/indie rock debut Understand This Is a Dream. With their second release, the band both lost and gained some fans. Mostly Emotion Is Dead was a well-accepted release, taking the band in a different direction, but it looked like it was all for the better. For their new full-length Love, the Juliana Theory is on the mainstream label Epic Records and all signs point to the fact that they should make a stunning debut in the world of mainstream music.

At least that's what one would think. However, apparently somewhere along the road these guys tried too hard to reinvent themselves and instead became just another rock band. It's hard to come up with a reason to listen to Love over any other of hundreds of rock discs. There is nothing independent, raw, or even remotely exciting to be found on Love.

The title is a good clue of the contents of the album. Love is a basic kind of word, but there's a lot involved in it. A lot more than the Juliana Theory cares to venture into with their lyrics. They prefer to remain on the surface and spout the cliché, "Love is life or a lack thereof* love is everything." Frankly, it's hard to find a reason for another band to feed people this kind of empty sentimentality. Love songs are great, but when a band starts to preach on love, it crosses the line.

Which brings up another weakness on Love. The lyrics are way too preachy without having anything to say. In the past the band has made it blatantly clear that they are not a Christian band. Most people had no problem with that, easily enjoying the lyrics that came with Understand This Is a Dream and Emotion Is Dead based on the relationships and life experiences that the band wrote about. Yet on Love, despite no religious conviction, we still find a band preaching. Preaching what? That's the question I have yet to answer of this CD. The song "Everything" states, "Love is a reason for living, a reason for trying, and a reason for life". The lyrics esteem love, but fail to show what love is, leaving the audience empty by the time the disc finishes spinning. In good writing, instead of telling, the writer shows what he or she is talking about. Generally such a tactic goes over much better than stating in blanket fashion, "The hardest things in life are the things we have to do. Even when we feel it's right, I never want to hurt you" ("The Hardest Things") without giving a reason to care or a thread to connect things together.

In all fairness, the album includes one great song called "Into the Dark". It was originally included on Emotion Is Dead and is a fine piece of writing: "In your eyes I see a darkness that torments you and in your head where it dwells. I'd give you my hand if you'd reach out and grab it. Let's walk away from this hell." The song raises the question, why can't the Juliana Theory write quality songs like this anymore? Perhaps it's deliberate; perhaps it's a talent they simply lost through the course of worrying about meeting the needs of a larger audience.

Overall, Love makes the giant mistake of sacrificing art for business. The band may still be able to rock out, but there's no breathing soul behind it. Whether such heartless music gains a wide following remains to be seen, but it is clear that this album will lose many of the Juliana Theory's longtime fans.