JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA – Life After Death (CD 2002)

(Private Release, phillip.yeadon@phillipy.demon.co.uk )

I don´t like to use the term „cult band“ too often, but what else can anyone say about the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, which released a couple of great Gothic-Rock records in the mid 80s. I didn´t know, that the band still went on working, until Phillip Yeadon of the band contacted me and told me, that there are unreleased recordings from 1996! I was absolutely happy, when he sent a CD-R of this stuff and let me say, that it is still typical JUSTICE LEAGUE stuff, which will satisfy every fan of good old 80s Brit-Goth!

First track is „Breath Condenses“, which is really powerful and reminds me of a mixture of Play Dead, Echo And The Bunnymen and Batcave sound with some mainstream Rock influences. Then follows „Think About It Again“, much more rocky with guitar solos and some keyboard notes. Actually not really Gothic-Rock, but good Rock music.

„Dog Eat Dog“ is darker and shows the very own style of the band, very 80s like.

Next is „Quiet“, again a song, that reminds me on Play Dead with a lot power and it´s a bit harder this time.

Can you imagine a „Gothic-U2“? If not, just listen to „Define The Problems“, a dragging, but also a bit romatic track. „Secret Name“ is a more typical JUSTICE LEAGUE song, which will be loved by every fan of the 80s stuff, very rocky and not too dark, maybe something close to good old Every New Dead-Ghost. In the same vein comes „Your Reflection“, again 80s Gothic, again the right track for Play Dead fans. The album ends with „I´m Not Sure“, which remeinds me a bit on Ausgang and bands like this, very driving, very rocky and with a lot of Batcave atmosphere. Possibly a dancefloor filler, if any DJ would play it to his audience.

And that´s it with the unreleased JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA stuff. I wasn´t sure, if the band could convince me after such a long time, but it seems, that there has not much changed. The music of this outstanding band is still very unique and powerful. I think, it is good, that they didn´t include too many „modern“ influences like many other bands from the „old times“. If you are into the Gothic Rock of bands like Play Dead, Ausgang, END-G, JUSTICE LEAGUE are definetly the right band for you. Don´t hesitate to contact Phillip by Email, he´s a nice guy and maybe he can help you getting a copy of this great stuff.

An interview with him about JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA will follow soon at www.backagain.de . (A.P.)

THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA - The Blackout (CD)

(???)

I don´t know, if this is an official compilation of tracks by the legendary JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, but as a fan of "American" Gothic, you should try to get this. The band played a mixture of Play Dead, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Carcrash International, Siouxsie, UK-Decay and Death-Rock. Really good, really 80s. (Alexander Pohle)