After Robots by BLK JKS
LABEL: Secretly Canadian

Johannesburg outfit BLK JKS have achieved a very difficult feat this year: they've made an engaging, inspiring and fresh rock record. This may seem like a sweeping generalization of an album that incorporates so many elements from jazz, progressive, ska, post-rock, and reggae music as well, but that only goes on to show how narrow our concept of rock has become. After Robots has its own voice and style to add to any of the aforementioned genres without graying out into respective cliches.

The heavier rock moments recall early Jane's Addiction (except denser and without slipping into crotch-rock mode), the more frenetic moments The Mars Volta (without the indie posturing), and the spacier, calmer moments Porcupine Tree (sans the sterility and repetitive vocals). BLK JKS manage to sidestep a lot of easy pitfalls that would have sacrificed the individuality and integrity of this album.

“It made me appreciate the energy and intensity of four talented people in a room, playing for everything they were worth.”

Song arrangement is tight while remaining layered and complex. There's a lot to be found on this record with repeated listens while not detracting from the immediate enjoyability of each track. The musicianship has real energy and passion behind it with no instrumental break or solo feeling crow-barred in or intrusive. The individual songs and the album as a whole flow together remarkably well, ending with the reflective acoustic dirge "Tselane". The production is organic, raw and intimate, just as a good rock record should be. Each instrument breathes freely through the speakers.

While comparisons between these two bands is inaccurate in style and scope, listening to BLK JKS reminds me what it was like to discover Southern California's Kyuss back in the late 90's. It made me appreciate the energy and intensity of four talented people in a room, playing for everything they were worth. After Robots is what a good band sounds like, and I would recommend it, even to listeners turned off to the whole jam-scene (as I was) to take a close listen.


REVIEWED BY NEIL M. LEVENS
NEIL'S 3 FAVORITE TRACKS: "Standby" • "Banna Ba Modimo" • "Skeleton"

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