Uber-positive lyrics, super-tight execution, killer pipes and righteous jams; Crisis Jane is reminiscent of Saves the Day with the emotion of Anberlin. It’s their positive lyrics that set them apart from most of the cynical rock offerings out there – and this has a place. I am glad that when I was a kid I had albums like When You’re a Rebel by Altar Boys when dealing with low points in my life – they pulled me through tough times. It’s easy for me to pass Crisis Jane off as a neutered boy band shamelessly recycling emo-pop of days passed, but it should be noted that I am not in their 12- to 23-year-old female (fresh from a summer at Bible camp) target demographic. And hey, they need their musical lifelines as well. Regardless, I’m sure Crisis Jane will sell a ton of these at their shows this weekend: Saturday, Sept. 19 at The Forks and Sunday, Sept. 20 at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church.

Published in Volume 64, Number 3 of The Uniter (September 17, 2009)