This Is The Way It Goes And Goes And Goes

After releasing a couple singles during their first two years of existence, Juno finally offered up their debut, This Is the Way It Goes & Goes & Goes, on Desoto records in 1999. With their odd lineup (including an occasional three-guitar attack) and bipolar material, Juno clearly wanted to make a unique indie rock statement. There are some fine pieces of punk material like the raucous "Into the Lavender Crevices of Evening..." and the Bob Mould-inflected "January Arms." Outside of these few exceptions, experimentation and slow-core meandering are the rule. Sound-effect noodling ("All Your Friends Are Comedians," "A Listening Ear") give way to ultra-slow arpeggiated guitar drudgery and an overall minimalism that might have its moments, but could also frustrate listeners wound up by the group's better, more aggressive material. "Incongruent" is a word that comes to mind. That singular description doesn't quite do this record justice, though, as it ignores Juno's expressed nuance and overall ability. This Is the Way It Goes & Goes & Goes has a taste that needs to be acquired, and, as such, can too easily be ignored for both the right and wrong reasons. ~ Vincent Jeffries