Moscow 1980 – Javelin Moscow 1980 – Javelin

Vibrationz – Javelin Vibrationz – Javelin

Sometimes a band is thrust into the responsibility of being a great band simply by the company they keep. Take for example Be Your Own Pet. When Thurston Moore identifies you as a talent your name hits the internet faster than Fail videos and David at Dentist combined. Javelin is no exception and once everyone heard David Byrne signed them to his label the blogosphere lit up with band of the moment / day / week / second / omgididntevenknowhewasinthetalkingheads kind of posts. Well now they actually have a full length album to put on the resume, so did they live up to the hype?

No Mas plays like a series of parties in a can. The tracks top 4 minutes only once, and while total time logged is not always the best way to measure an album, this play time has an unexpected impact in No Mas. Let me set the stage. You are at work, bored as hell, headphones on, noise cancellation on, bopping your head, and writing another drab e-mail. Then, just as you get into Susie Cues the beat drops out faster than Fat Albert downs a taco, topical I know. While these blips create unwanted schisms in the album the solid tracks make up for it.

If you only have a few iTunes gift cards left from your Great Aunt Edna’s birthday card, you want to make sure to grab Vibrationz. The 70s come alive in this track and not in the awkward Hall and Oates kind of way. You will ride the bass line and groove in this song for quite some time. I dare you not to pop a beer.

In addition to Vibrationz, there is the ode to Alvin and the Chipmunks rap song Oh! Centra. This bazaar track is insanely irritating on first listen. However, that quickly gave way to a playful and down right fun tune. I bought in quick. Tell Me What Will It Be drops on the album at just the right time. It’s paired with We Ah Wi which feels like something that might play in the background at a Banana Republic. Take that as you will. However, despite all these great beats and feel-good summer vibes, there is always a grenade the wing-man has to jump on, and this album has Goal\Wide. The end track seriously just stops out of nowhere. It is the single worst ending to an album I have heard in ages. I had to replay the track through various venues/sites/etc. just to make sure it actually ended that abruptly. Awful ending to a fantastic album. Despite this ending, grab some beer, grab a lady, light that cigar, and throw on Javelin. If you have a bad day, blame me, cause I don’t see how it’s possible.  I give it a 4 out of 5.