Cru Jones - Conversation (CD)

All Music Guide

The screamo movement has yielded its share of Thursday and Thrice clones, but the Syracusebased foursome Cru Jones eludes the same prompt dismissal with The Conversation. As intricate as it is forceful, the band's heartheavy approach puts tears in the mascara with little haste, giving songs like "Lights Out" and "Love: A Roadside View" a brilliant but brutal glimmer. The latter is a muscular, memorable beast that excels thanks to the distinct, alluring vocal delivery of Terry Bloom, but this Cru is four individual talents coming together to make one intense, highoctane song cycle. Reference points include Peter Cortnerera Dag Nasty (check "Our Last Effort to Save You") and early Coalesce, which means if you're a fan of either, you'll not only be Jonesing to hear The Conversation run on, you'll also be floored.

- John D. Luerssen, All Music Guide