Jane Doe (album)

Jane Doe
Studio album by Converge
Released September 4, 2001
Recorded at Q Division, GodCity and Fort Apache studios
Genre Metalcore, mathcore, hardcore punk
Length 45:22
Label Equal Vision
Producer Matthew Ellard; Kurt Ballou
Converge chronology

Y2K EP
(1999)		 Jane Doe
(2001)		 Unloved and Weeded Out
(2002)

Jane Doe is the fourth album by American metalcore band Converge. It was released September 4, 2001 through Equal Vision Records. The album was received with immediate critical acclaim, critics praising its poetic lyrics, incredibly fast and well made dynamics, and crushing style and production. The album was also a commercial success in comparison to Converge's previous outings, and both the band and the album have developed a cult following ever since, with the cover art acting as somewhat of an icon to both Converge and a strong part of the underground metalcore scene.

Overview

“ The album's lyrical themes were born out of a dissolving relationship and the emotional fallout from that experience. - Jacob Bannon[1] ”

The artwork was designed by vocalist Jacob Bannon. The cover image "has become Converge's de facto icon".[1] She is not based on any original model.[1] Deathwish Inc. has announced the release of a double vinyl version of the album, which has not been available for over six years. It officially became available for pre-order at the Deathwish web store on April 1, 2010.

Guitarist Kurt Ballou cites Fugazi, The Jesus Lizard and Hoover as influences on the album.[2]

The album was recorded at Q Division, next door to James Taylor's recording session.[3]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [4]
Kerrang!
Pitchfork Media 7.7/10[5]
Sputnikmusic [6]
Stylus Magazine A-[7]
Punknews.org [8]
Lambgoat 9/10[9]

Jane Doe was highly successful. Terrorizer Magazine awarded the record Album of the Year status in 2001.[10]

In January 2007, Decibel magazine certified the album number 35 in the "Decibel Hall of Fame", and later named it the best album of the '00s.[10] J. Bennett writes that "Jane Doe was both a semi-melodic milestone ("Hell to Pay", "Thaw", the title track) and a discordant landmark (everything else), far and away the most crucial metallic hardcore record since Cave In unleashed Until Your Heart Stops three years earlier",[11] while Kerrang! stated "With feral blasting, extreme technicality, intense emotion and an overwhelmingly bleak tone... [Jane Doe is an] awe-inspiring listening experience..."

On June 11, 2010, Sputnikmusic deemed Jane Doe the best album of the decade, earning the #1 spot on its top 100 albums of the decade list.[12]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Jacob Bannon, all music composed by Converge[13].

No. Title Length
1. "Concubine"   1:19
2. "Fault and Fracture"   3:05
3. "Distance and Meaning"   4:18
4. "Hell to Pay"   4:32
5. "Homewrecker"   3:51
6. "The Broken Vow"   2:13
7. "Bitter and Then Some"   1:28
8. "Heaven in Her Arms"   4:01
9. "Phoenix in Flight"   3:49
10. "Phoenix in Flames"   0:42
11. "Thaw"   4:30
12. "Jane Doe"   11:34
Total length:
 45:22

Personnel

Converge[13]

Guest musicians[13]

Artwork and design[13]

  • Atomic! ID – art direction and design (Note: Atomic ID is Jacob Bannon's design company. All art direction and design is credited to Bannon on the vinyl reissue.[14])

Production and recording history[13]

  • Fred Archambalt – recording assistant
  • Kurt Ballou – recording, pre-production, mixing
  • Jacob Bannon – mixing
  • Matt Beaudoin – recording assistant
  • Mathew Ellard – recording, mixing
  • Alan Douches – mastering
  • Andy Hong – pre-production
  • Carl Plaster – drum tech
  • Recorded at Q Division, God City and Fort Apache
  • Mixed at Fort Apache
  • Mastered at West West Side
  • All recording and mixing was performed in an analog format.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Converge's Jane Doe", Revolver, June 2008, p. 114.
  2. ↑ Bennett, p. 339.
  3. ↑ Bennett, p. 335.
  4. ↑ Jane Doe at AllMusic
  5. ↑ "Converge: Jane Doe | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2002-07-02. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  6. ↑ "Converge - Jane Doe (album review)". Sputnikmusic. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  7. ↑ "Converge - Jane Doe - Review". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  8. ↑ "Converge - Jane Doe". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  9. ↑ "Converge - Jane Doe review". Lambgoat. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 J. Bennett, "Who's That Girl?", Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces, Albert Mudrian (ed.), Da Capo Press, p. 331.
  11. ↑ Bennett, p. 332.
  12. ↑ "Top 100 Albums of the Decade (10-1) « Staff Blog". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Jane Doe (CD booklet). Converge. New York: Equal Vision Records. 2001. EVR61.
  14. ↑ Jane Doe (vinyl gatefold). Converge. Deathwish Inc. 2010. DWI72.