Jane Doe (album)

Jane Doe
Studio album by Converge
Released September 4, 2001
Studio 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
(2003)

Jane Doe is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Converge, released September 4, 2001 through Equal Vision Records, this is their last release on the label. The album was received with immediate critical acclaim, with critics praising its poetic lyrics, dynamic range, ferocity 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 since its release. The cover art has become an icon of Converge as well as the underground metalcore scene.

It is the band's first album to feature Nate Newton and Ben Koller, and the last to feature Aaron Dalbec, resulting in the line-up that has remained to this day. Guitarist Kurt Ballou cites Fugazi, The Jesus Lizard and Hoover as influences on the album.[1]

Recording

The album was mostly recorded at Q Division, next door to James Taylor's recording session.[2] Additional recording for the album also took place at Godcity Recording Studio and Fort Apache and took around three years to make.[3]

Theme and cover art

“ The album's lyrical themes were born out of a dissolving relationship and the emotional fallout from that experience. - Jacob Bannon[4] ”

The artwork was designed by vocalist Jacob Bannon. The cover image "has become Converge's de facto icon".[4] She is not based on any original model.[4]

In interview with Revolver Bannon revealed that he abandoned multiple art projects to work on Jane Doe;

"Abandoning several other ongoing art projects so he could work on 'Jane Doe' exclusively for a month, Bannon applied the same meticulous process in creating all of the companion images that appear in the album's 28-page CD booklet."Once I had the basic images completed, including the cover, I worked on type treatments for the release,"he says. "At first I used old Letraset type but later switched to contemporary typography as the project progressed. My goal was to continue the same kinetic feel of the imagery and make them one and the same.""[5]

Release

In mid-2000, Converge self-released a three-track album titled Jane Doe Demos. The CDs where released at Converge's 2000 tour and were limited to 100 copies. The CD contains unreleased demo versions of the tracks "Bitter & Then Some" (which can be later found on the 2005 reissue of When Forever Comes Crashing), "Thaw", and a cover of "Whatever I do" (originally by Negative Approach).

The album was originally released on September 4, 2001 through Equal Vision Records as a CD and double vinyl which came in multiple colors; black (limited to 2000 copies), brown/white (550 copies), clear (limited to 300 copies) and red/orange (limited to 150 copies). Deathwish (under exclusive license from Equal Vision Records) offers the album on vinyl format again. Available or the first time in over 6 years, this 2XLP is specially packaged in a Deluxe Gatefold sleeve and is accompanied by a stunning 28 page album sized booklet. The double vinyl version of the album officially became available for pre-order at the Deathwish web store on April 1, 2010, and then became available to buy in August 2010.[6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[7]
Pitchfork Media7.7/10[8]
Sputnikmusic[9]
Stylus MagazineA-[10]
Punknews.org[11]
Lambgoat9/10[12]

Jane Doe was highly successful (especially when compared to Converge's previous albums). Terrorizer Magazine awarded the record Album of the Year status in 2001.[13]

On July 2, 2002, Christopher Dare of Pitchfork Media said the album was “So full of intelligence, skill and intensity that it’s simply masterful. I don’t know what to call it. That’s probably a good thing.”[14]

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 2000s.[13] 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".[15]

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.[16] Loudwire placed the album at #10 on its own albums of the decade list.[17]

In March, 2011, Jane Doe was inducted into the Rock Sound's Hall of Fame. They described the album as " a gamechanger in the entire realm of heavy music".[18]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Jacob Bannon; all music composed by Converge[19].

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[19]

Guest musicians[19]

Artwork and design[19]

  • 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.[20])

Production and recording history[19]

  • 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. ↑ Bennett, p. 339.
  2. ↑ Bennett, p. 335.
  3. ↑ "Deathwish Estore: Converge "Jane Doe" CD". store.deathwishinc.com. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
  4. 1 2 3 "Converge's Jane Doe", Revolver, June 2008, p. 114.
  5. ↑ "Interview: Converge's Jake Bannon on Legendary 'Jane Doe' Album Artwork". 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
  6. ↑ "Deathwish Estore: Converge "Jane Doe" 2x12LP". store.deathwishinc.com. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
  7. ↑ Jane Doe at AllMusic
  8. ↑ "Converge: Jane Doe | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2002-07-02. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  9. ↑ "Converge - Jane Doe (album review)". Sputnikmusic. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  10. ↑ "Converge - Jane Doe - Review". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  11. ↑ "Converge - Jane Doe". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  12. ↑ "Converge - Jane Doe review". Lambgoat. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  13. 1 2 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.
  14. ↑ "Converge: Jane Doe Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
  15. ↑ Bennett, p. 332.
  16. ↑ "Top 100 Albums of the Decade (10-1) « Staff Blog". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  17. ↑ "Top 11 Metal Albums of the 2000s". Loudwire. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  18. ↑ "Converge's 'Jane Doe' Inducted Into Rock Sound Hall Of Fame - News - Rock Sound Magazine". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 Jane Doe (CD booklet). Converge. New York: Equal Vision Records. 2001. EVR61.
  20. ↑ Jane Doe (vinyl gatefold). Converge. Deathwish Inc. 2010. DWI72.
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