When emo kids the world over learned of the demise of both Sarge and Jejune, they sobbed mercilessly, making their cardigans all wrinkled and causing them to smell of wet dog. Those poor souls can now take solace that an even better band has come along to take their place.
That band is M.I.J., who hail from the fertile indie breeding ground of Milwaukee. Granted, M.I.J. only sound like they're fronted by a female, where as Sarge and Jejune (at least the majority of the time) actually were. Singer/guitarist Jeff Hanson’s vocal prowess is quite stunning; in fact, it wasn't until after I glanced at the press release did I realize it was not a woman singing. Hanson reaches incredible levels with his falsetto croon -- with your eyes closed, you might not be able to tell him apart from Elizabeth Elmore.
The Radio Goodnight showcases M.I.J.'s dynamic songwriting chops, as well as introducing the world to Hanson’s voice. The strum-to-scream opener "Say it in Words" lulls you with a gentle riff, then deals you a vicious backhand once its wall of fuzzed-out guitars and sidewinder-like bass figures kick in. Other songs, like the title-track and "Your Stories," unravel to expose layers of thickness: distortion drenched guitars, precision drumming and Hanson’s soaring vocals. As good as this album is, its true highlight comes in the form of two lilting, gorgeously fragile acoustic ballads. The first, "Sometimes in Sleep," rides a crest of sharply-strummed acoustic guitar and Hanson’s breathy falsetto, while album closer "Again Today"'s countrified picking, slow-tempo groove and docile melody waft effortlessly from your speakers. But the true success of these songs comes with their placement; "Sometimes in Sleep," set smack dab in the middle of the record, gives the listener a brief respite from the album’s more guitar heavy material. "Again Today," on the other hand, takes the album out on a gentle note, allowing you to savor the sounds you’ve heard over the past 35 minutes.
Pick your heads up, you weeping emo children, for even though Sarge and Jejune are gone, M.I.J. are here to stay. And if The Radio Goodnight is any indication of things to come, the Promise Ring may soon lose their crown as kings of the emo heap.
