What Christmas Is

It's the liquid in this picture.

This however always makes me smile:

Savory

I remember hearing this song on WHFS back in Baltimore. Jawbox was a local band (DC), but I never saw them play around. They were probably already too big to play Max's or the 8x10. This song stood out among the new alternative pop/noise bands. It was definitely noise, but the texture was restrained -- very restrained, just listen to that tension build as the song goes on. Also this noise had a sweet melody which definitely set it apart from many of the post-Fugazi quiet/loud/quiet angry-shoegazing beltway bands.

Jawbox has reunited to celebrate the 15 year anniversary of the release of their major-label debut album, hence their appearance on Jimmy Fallon (who always seems to get cool musical guests). This song sounds even better live; the tension becomes almost physical as the space between the chugging chords remains defiantly unfilled. A lot of the talk around the reissue of For Your Own Special Sweetheart is about its influence on the alternative pop/noise bands of the 1990's and today. I am not sure I could identify a Jawbox-influenced group today, but this song remains one of the best products of the manufactured trend of the early 90s that we called "alternative."

Jawbox does however remind me of a dearly departed friend.