Reviewed by Rod Lobaugh

It's hard not to notice a band that boasts of appearances at the Flevo Music Festival in Holland and opening for the likes of DC Talk. Such is the experiences of Norway's the Jesus Blues Breakers, Their recent album, put out by ROXX Records, "God Ain't Schizo' seems to be a little schizo itself, offering 14 songs that are mainly hit and miss. Musically, 'God Ain't Schizo' offers a strange journey of gospel grunge, riff-o-rama, tainted with blues and even a little funk, while maintaining a solid groove. It's almost as if the Melvins that produced "Stoner Witch" and "Houdini" got together with Kings X and called the collaboration the Jesus Blues Breakers. The first track. "Report Of Utter Disaster", makes me think this band has a whole lot more raw energy and power just waiting to be unleashed. The Jesus Blues Breakers appear to be at their best when they touch on the more emotional aspects of music, like on the acoustic laden "Winna'ee" or the sad violin piece on "Hush". The lyrical side of JBB is as much a mix as the music. Almost all the songs bare a very strong, at times passionate, message of the gospel. The Jesus Blues Breakers take a very direct approach to their songs, while avoiding "preachiness". It can't be easy trying to reach the mainstream with hard rock in a country where a lot of the youth still suffers from post AHA syndrome and the church clings to Andrew Crouch as if he were the long lost viking king. Expect to hear much more from the Jesus Blues Breakers as they tour their way around Europe and continue forward. They are a band in the maturing stages that will only get better. 'God Ain't Schizo' offers a bright window into their budding career.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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