You cannot replicate the ’90s no matter the sincerity of the effort. A contemporary band can listen to the albums of that era and watch live footage, but will not come close to the energy and novelty of ’90s rock. However, one can try and Jr. Juggernaut attempts to harness 1993-ish Lollapalooza vibes on its fourth release, Another Big Explosion.
“Come Break My Heart” sets the album’s tone with its slightly dissonant opening that segues in to familiar power chord riffing. It is not a bad song, but it is cliché, reminiscent of a song played in a ’90s teen movie. “Everything I Touch” is an upbeat punky tune that serves as the initial single. The guitar chords over the initial riff give it a spacey vibe a la Husker Du, giving the track a nostalgic feel. “Take Alone” reverts to the by the numbers semi-melancholic soft-loud rock that saturated FM radio 30 years ago. “Inclined” has a cool opening descending riff with a brief coiling guitar lead that breaks up the monotony. The uplifting vocals sound out of place over the song’s slow, tempo. “Million Miles” is more consistent musically and vocally, but ultimately does not stand out that much. Album closer “Total Darkness” has a funky bass line and staccato rhythm that makes it the most enjoyable track on the album. The guitar leads are bluesy and psychedelic, and are boosted by a simple but driving riff.
Nostalgia is flawed in that people mainly focus on the good old days and ignore the bad and banal. ’90s rock was diverse, textured, and experimental, but also hackneyed, saturated, and derivative. Another Big Explosion showcases some sounds of ’80s and ’90s post-punk, funk rock and a bit of grunge, but it is a safe record as the band does not stray far from conventions. Fans of late ’80s to ’90s alternative rock may like this record. However, one can just as easily listen to Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Jane’s Addiction, Nirvana or The Pixies for a nostalgia fix.
