Promise

If bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bauhaus can be considered the founders of post-punk glam, laying the foundations of what would turn into Goth rock, then Gene Loves Jezebel followed closely in their footsteps with the debut, Promise. Careening, wailing guitar is matched by careening, wailing vocals from the two brothers, while forceful, semi-tribal drumming underlay everything on display. John Brand's production balances out brute force with careful texturing, allowing the group to showcase their power chops as well as their calmer, moodier side. Despite the unstable lineup at the time of recording, everything sounds like the product of a well-seasoned band, no doubt thanks to the Astons' considerable and happily justifiable belief in their own abilities. One of the more common but effective elements on Promise is a sense of quick, dramatic changes. 2005.