The Jungle

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Liquid jungle now, “The Jungle”

The sweet sunny south is among other things, the birthplace of rock and roll, Atlanta is the cultural center and a symbol of southern progress. Atlanta and more recently Athens Georgia are where great southern rock bands go to to make a name for themselves, from the Allman Brothers to Sound Tribe Sector Nine to Perpetual Groove. Credit is due to a band known as the Jungle for undertaking the great challenge of performing the entirety of Radiohead's OK Computer, which went off without a hitch this past October. The band is anchored by Twin brothers Josh and Graham Yoder, who have each played out in the area since the age of sixteen. Formerly known as Liquid Jungle, the name has changed but the songs remains the same, continuing as a dynamic force, in the constantly evolving southern music scene.
Tiny Heaven (Self Released ), the Jungle's first studio album, was released Spring 2007 and at the time of this writing the band is already in the studio recording a new five song EP, which is much different then Tiny Heaven and in their words "a huge step beyond it" as well. The name Liquid Jungle, is reminiscent of Liquid Sky, the pioneering NYC drum and bass and jungle music record label. I think many people from up north might assume Liquid Jungle to be an electronic act, instead what they will get is a really good prog rock band with an urban appeal. Perhaps the drum and bass connection is the reason they dropped the “liquid” from their name, though one thing is for sure, the Atlanta rock scene is fertile ground for new bands and home to some movers and shakers in the business of live music; including the marketing masterminds of Shimon Presents who have taken such festivals such as Camp Bisco and Langerado to new heights.
The cover for Tiny Heaven by David Hale is one of the most beautiful pieces of album cover art I have seen in a while, reminiscent of an abstract-urban version of The Great Wave Off Kanagawa. The Jungle is also an abstract blend of influences, defining themselves as progressive rock, inspired by funk. The style can be compared to a more monochromatic Mars Volta with some hints of U2. The sound is hard edged with loud instrumentals and softer, pop vocals. The sound is characteristic of much of the indie and progressive rock popular today, appealing to urban hipster types with a penchant for vocal effects. Liquid Jungle has the mass appeal of the Killers, with something of a radio friendly sound, in keeping with their artistic integrity. Crunchy guitars feed the primal urge for distortion and an occasionally funky bass such as that on “Programmed,” keeps the music from becoming generic while adding variety to the album. Saxophones played by guitarist Zack Varner further mix things up on “Out Of The Dark.” Title track “Tiny Heaven,” is the most creative cut on the album, the sound of singing Himalayan yogis in the distance, chaotic instrumentals and drum symbols crashing like waves, make this a haunting and unique track.
Hot Lanta, is constantly innovating and will always be the location for southern musicians to follow their pursuit of the American Dream. Liquid Jungle taps into the heart of the current hipster craze. In the wake of bands like Radio Head, UNKLE and the Killers, a lot of bands are trying to bottle that same magic and Liquid Jungle has the potential of getting it just right.

"Listen"

Liquid Jungle: Tiny Heaven