Comprehension Through Compilation: Jack Off Jill's HTM

SCORE: 98/100

Jack Off Jill managed to make themselves known as one of the grittiest, most raw all-female bands out there, and their 2006 compilation of recordings that took place from the early-to-mid 90s showcases their style deliciously well.


They feel like more than just Riot Grrrl, feeling unlike any other bands in the genre with their sheer heaviness and their consistently gorgeous and raw style that you can't find from any other band; not like this. They don't try and lean into pop or other popular subgenres or stylings, they make their own rules and play by their very own handbook - one lined in grisly pink and the most raw elements of femininity. 


'Humid Teenage Mediocrity' feels like an essential and entirely comprehensive look at JOJ as a band. It showcases their brutal honesty through early, previously unreleased material as well as demo versions of songs that would make their way onto their debut album in 1997. There are some truly stunning moments on this album, with the heavier nature of 'Media C-Section' being one of my favorite moments by the band that I have heard so far (the distortion and riffy guitars are both entirely immersive and striking to every degree possible). 


The demo versions of the songs that did wind up on their debut are incredible to hear, with the version of 'My Cat' being almost better than the album version due to the grit and more hollowed out sound as well as the roughness to Jessicka's vocals that isn't as present with the polishing it got for the final album. The rasp and altered mixing work incredibly well in the song's favour, and both the unreleased tracks and the demos come together into one awe-inspiring compilation that feels entirely crucial for the band's (unfortunately) short discography.


It makes its length more than worthwhile, and this manages to feel like THE Jack Of Jill project in terms of how striking of a look into their sound it is. Every side of the spectrum when it comes to the band is present through multiple different elements throughout the entirety of this compilation - and both the heavier, faster songs and the more raw and stripped songs are incredibly well done in every way imaginable.




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