JR Ewing

Maelstrom

[4/5] The adage “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone” is a cliché only because it’s true. Just how true will be apparent when folks realize that JR Ewing is no more. The Oslo group have called it quits after eight years together-long enough to be a major influence on the screamo scene, but not so long that their final music together sounds like a band on their last legs. On the contrary, Maelstrom burns brightly with charisma and energy, making it the band’s most aggressive album, even as it flirts with astounding accessibility. JR Ewing’s arty tendencies have made for comparisons to At The Drive-In, but Maelstrom is a lot closer to classic alt-rock icons Jane’s Addiction, thanks to Andreas Tylden’s soaring falsetto wail, Kenneth Lamond’s tribal drumming and an inspired thrashing that’s as inspiring as anything they-or any of their peers-have done in the past eight years. (DIM MAK) Brian O’Neill