Jaill: Traps

Jaill
Traps
Sub Pop Records [2012]









 Fire Note Says: Jaill once again show their talents and release a solid indie rock record.

Album Review:
If you are looking for some good jangly indie rock then Jaill's third LP and second for Sub Pop titled Traps is a record that I think you will dig. Like their infectious sophomore album That's How We Burn [2010], Traps comes off effortlessly but it is an album that takes more time. I will fully admit that after my first listen, I sort of put Traps on another pile and moved on for a bit. I believe this happened because there is no stand up single here like the ripping "The Stroller" which kicked off That's How We Burn.

What you get instead is a more bouncing lead off track in "Waste A Lot Of Things"which has more of a laid back groove that marches to a catchy beat while it comes to a more psychedelic ending. Next comes the more direct 60's rocker "Everyone's A Bitch" that just sort of puts it out there on how we all feel sometime. I think Traps improves when Jaill place the guitar more up front like on "I'm Home" that has a killer riff running throughout while Vincent Kircher's vocals get into your head.

Traps may not quite be the level of their last record but it is still a good listen that fans will enjoy. The album was recorded in a poorly lit basement with minimal gear which gives Traps its more lo-fi distorted sound at times but also lets the listener absorb the instruments and vocals. For new listeners to Jaill, Trap's 33 minutes never overstays it welcome and is a grower. If you give Traps the appropriate amount of spins the album will sit better as the indie psych rockers from Milwaukee just might turn out to be one of your new favorites because if anything else, Traps will be one of the more sincere indie records you will hear all year.

Key Tracks: "I'm Home", "Perfect Ten", "While You Reload"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Shins
The dB's
Father John Misty

Jaill: That's How We Burn [Fire Note Review 7/23/10]

Jaill Website
Jaill Facebook
Sub Pop Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony