J. Robbins: Basilisk

If you asked me if f J. Robbins would be still be making music in 2024, I’d say fuck yeah! This is a guy who can’t help but be around music. Playing it. Producing it. Just generally being in iconic D.C. bands like Government Issue, Jawbox and Burning Airlines to name but a few. And producing artists from The Promise Ring to The Dismemberment Plan. It is interesting that he’s gone solo. Especially when his solo stuff sounds suspiciously like some of his not solo work.

Certainly less hard and less hardcore than his earlier stuff, Basilisk definitely continues the trajectory of his Burning Airlines oeuvre. It’s recognizable music with just a ton going on. It isn’t spare of DIY indie rock, but a more maximalist version of rock that might be result of a guy who loves being in the studio producing stuff. Lots of overdubs and snaking bass lines and plinks and plonks. Organs and cymbals and reverb. But still extremely J. Robbins. With his almost pleasant singing style that has very little growl or pitch to it. Almost — dare I say — sometimes a little on the soft side of the Foo Fighters catalog-ish. Sorry, man.

Upon multiple listens you start to notice Robbins’ quirks and moves. The man loves a tambourine sound. Not like in a hippie way. But a chorus with an aggressively rattled tambourine is just his thing. As well as hitting the bell of the cymbal. Which is a very 80s metal move. All of which gives some of the songs an almost generic Rush feel at times. Not bad, just not dynamic in a way you might want. The production sounds nice and Robbins puts together decent tunes, but after a few minutes everything kind of blends into itself. The hooks aren’t strong enough to connect and as the album goes on Robbins digs into his production bag and does some sort of weirdo Pink Floyd vocal effects stuff I’m not really feeling. And finally — on a ten-track album — goes all dreary experimental studio knob twiddler on us. Nine Inch Nails, please no.