Jejune / Wait A Lifetime / Numero Group

Jejune were Chris Mendez Vanacore, Joe Guevera and Araby Harrison. A trio formed at Berklee, in Boston, and subsequently tied to San Diego’s post-hardcore scene. Active between 1995 and 1999, they recorded two albums, and at the time of their spilt had started a third. Numero Group’s retrospective, “Wait A Lifetime”, collects everything from all of these sessions. There are a total of 37 tracks, including alternate takes, a couple of remixes*, plus a bonus 7” containing a respectful, faithful Smiths cover. The music mixes US and UK indie, Sarah Records and the mosh pit. While the friends share vocal duties, often coming together on close harmonies, the collection, frequently within an individual song, is very schizophrenic. Often sounding like 2 or 3 completely different bands. Perhaps this is what eventually pulled the group apart. Driven by loud punk, power pop chords, but then alternating between quiet introspection and cathartic noise. Moody, melancholic jangle, Orange…