Johari

Reviewed: "Sweet Revenge" MP3

Bio: joHaRi are a new five-piece combo emerging from the disparate myre that is the South West music scene.

This unique brand of alternative, post-punk pop/rock (referred to by some as ‘post-punk bitch pop’) combines hypnotic vocal harmonies, soaring melodies, and pounding guitar riffs with cowbells, mandolas and Arabic grooves, to create an altogether darker space, reminiscent at times of Siouxsie Sioux, PJ Harvey, and Patti Smith, and at other times, of some sort of terrifying cross between Martha & the Muffins, Chumbawamba, and The Rezillos. 

Line up -
Miss Fortune (vocals, percussion)
Kimi X (guitar, vocals, keyboard)
Andy Manson (guitar, harmonica)
Chris Legg (bass guitar, vocals, electric mandola)
Simon Shakespeare (drums, vocals)

Well?: I don’t know why I chose this particular track from those available, maybe it was because I liked the title (sentimental old fool as I am).

Sweet Revenge is a very well produced piece of what I would describe as ‘modern Siouxsie and the Banshees’. The song comes in with a very catchy ‘Charlatanesque’ sound, until the beautifully melancholic vocals come in to give you that “Siouxsie/Dolores O’Riordan(the Cranberries) or even ‘Alice Nutter’(Chumbawumba).

It is a good mix of a very hypnotising riff, with an almost celtic vocal melody, albeit a very haunting , yet , listener-friendly melody. The use of harmonies was well done, not too much and in the right places…I also like the brief haunting guitar licks( again used in a very subtle way)

I really liked this track from the first airing and have since played it many times. Its not a mosher, but if you picture yourself having a night in by the fire, a few friends and some alcohol, then this is ideal for that ‘ I don’t really know what to put on the cd player ‘ situation…it might stop the conversation flowing but it will sure make you listen to it..

*Makes note to oneself--” must try and catch these guys(and gals) ‘live’ “

The Best Bit: The haunting vocal melody
The Worst Bit: I didn’t really see a worst bit so I’m going to say…the name. I am not keen on the band name!! (sorry that’s as bad as they get)
Reviewed by Jax

Website: www.johari.co.uk