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understand this is a dream

Lately, some of the best music is being made by the artists who make hard music. Maybe those who really know the power of a good riff have a deeper appreciation for beautiful melody. In this case, Brett Detar of Zao is writing and composing all this great emo-like pop music. The difference between the unblack metalcore sounds of Zao and The Juliana Theory make for a totally dynamic transformation. Like many of the bands today that go from hardcore to either emo or college rock (Brandston, Stairwell, to name a few), it's almost as if the melodies are just waiting to flow out of these guys. If you like the infectious pop of Plankeye, and appreciate that it's dirty and groove-filled rather than compressed and polished (the "Nashville treatment"), will love The Juliana Theory.
"DJ," from the split CD (reviewed in this issue's Indie section) becomes the full name title, "Duane Joseph," here. It's a little slicker and fuller on this album. All ten songs on this disc sound great, making for a nice listen track for track.
The Juliana Theory borrows from what has come before and writes simple pop music for the future. [Tooth&Nail/ DV]