JJAMZ (pronounced “juh-Jamz”) is a Los Angeles indie-pop group comprised of Jason Boesel (Rilo Kiley, Bright Eyes), James Valentine (Maroon 5), Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet), Michael Runion, and Z Berg (The Like).
Their Dangerbirds Records debut album Suicide Pact was self-produced by the band with the added talents of Jason Lader (Maroon 5, Rilo Kiley, Julian Casablancas).
From the churning, he-said, she-said “LAX” and the wistfully dark album title track “Suicide Pact,” to the driving, Madonna-esque “Heartbeat,” and the crooning, smooth vocal pairings between Berg and Runion on “Cleverly Disguised,” each and every song stands on its own as a heart-wrenching narrative and a master course in lyrical prowess.
With a band made up of five of music’s most innovative artists, one would expect nothing less.
Boy do I miss Rilo Kiley, but this almost makes up for the loss.
Check out four of the tracks from this great album.
Never Enough
Suicide Pact JJAMZ - Suicide Pact (The Satellite, Los Angeles CA 6/25/12
Heartbeat Official music video for "Heartbeat" from JJAMZ debut album "Suicide Pact"
LAX live at Webster Hall - July 10, 2012
Track listing:
1. Get What You Want
2. Suicide Pact
3. Heartbeat
4. Square One
5. Never Enough
6. LAX
7. Cleverly Disguised
8. Poolside
9. You Were My Home
10. Change My Mind
