MUSIC FARMER 5 - Review by Adam Jones
A Flood of Sound: JJ RANE’s Debut EP Rips Through the Alternative Rock Landscape
JJ RANE plunges headfirst into the depths of raw, unfiltered emotion with his debut EP, "Back Into the River." This album is a bold collection of sonic intensity - a visceral, electrifying journey through the moody grit of the Pacific Northwest, echoing the spirit of grunge and alternative rock giants like Pearl Jam, Chris Cornell, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
With powerhouse vocals, searing guitar solos, and hypnotic infectious rhythmic patterns, JJ RANE creates an experience that feels both deeply nostalgic and strikingly modern—a fierce stream of sound that surges with passion, reflection, and raw energy.
The title track, "Back Into the River," opens the EP with an acoustic guitar strummed with such intensity it becomes a percussive force of its own. JJ RANE’s voice erupts like a primal cry—somewhere between the unrestrained wail of Kurt Cobain and the rhythmic urgency of Rob Thomas. The song builds like a brewing storm, culminating in a guitar solo that doesn’t just soar—it explodes, cutting through the atmosphere like lightning splitting the sky. The bridge takes an unexpected turn, layering Beach Boys-esque harmonies that cast a momentary, ethereal calm before the song crashes back into its tempestuous groove.
"Hell of a Lie" follows with a groove-laden, relentless energy. The chorus, punctuated by the line "Find me in the fast lane," is a war cry, a declaration of defiance that mirrors the propulsive momentum of the instrumentation. The bass and drums pulse like a racing heart, locking into an addictive rhythm while snarling electric guitars ignite the air, adding both chaos and precision in equal measure.
"In the Middle of Two Worlds" shifts the experience into a more expansive, anthemic soundscape. The guitar leads shimmer like constellations, lifting the listener into a euphoric, dreamlike space. It’s a song that feels like the exhilaration of standing on the precipice of something vast and unknown—a rush of emotion that transcends the boundaries of sound and space. The hooks pulse with an intoxicating blend of nostalgia and wonder, making it impossible not to get lost in its spell.
"Wake Up" plunges into a darker, more industrial space, propelled by an insistent acoustic guitar hook that throbs like a restless heartbeat. A haunting female harmony drifts in like an apparition, adding a spectral layer of depth that makes the song feel like a desperate plea to humanity. The chorus—"Wake up, there’s never been a right time. Wake up, there’s never been—standing on the edge of a landslide"—is a revelation, an urgent call to awareness in a world teetering on the edge. A slide-style guitar solo follows like a shifting tectonic plate-a sonic representation of the earth moving beneath one’s feet, demanding action before it’s too late.
