There are very few songwriters who can bridge their literary prowess to their musical abilities, Blake Schwarzenbach is one of the few. His projects over the years have spanned the rock world, starting out with the youthful punk of Jawbreaker only to transition to a more mature, late 90’s indie rock outfit with Jets to Brazil. After Jawbreaker failed to achieve the commercial success expected by a major label, the band broke up, leaving Schwarzenbach with the freedom to roam both sonically and geographically. The frontman moved from the West Coast to New York City where he met bassist Jeremy Chatelain, and the seeds of Jets to Brazil were planted. After Chatelain’s band Handsome suffered the same fate as Jawbreaker, he tapped the drummer from another failed band with Chris Daly from Texas is The Reason rounding out the trio.
Like an indie rock phoenix, Jets to Brazil was built on the back of failed attempts, and its members refused to endure another. After Chatelain heard Schwarzenbach’s NYC demos, he convinced him to take their small project to the next level. The band acquired producer J. Robbins to work on Orange Rhyming Dictionary, Jets to Brazil’s now iconic debut. The album was recorded in the late summer of 1998 and released 25 years ago today on October 27, 1998. This album did more than introduce the honed thrashing of this newly formed trio, it showed an artistic maturity that has yet to be duplicated. Orange Rhyming Dictionary was released by Jade Tree and would become the highest-selling album the label would ever release.
Along with an avalanche of critical acclaim and commercial success, Jets to Brazil crafted an essential LP in the indie rock storybook. Schwarzenbach’s deeply personal and beautifully penned lyrics felt right at home with the chugging arrangements and soft edge. After major labels plagued two of the members’ former bands, the freedom expressed on Orange Rhyming Dictionary can still be felt over two decades later. An off-kilter ballad like “Sea Anemone” would’ve never gotten by in a room of suits and ties. The band was able to capture the frustration of their careers and create a beautiful example of independent music, allowing their debut to be as clean or experimental as they liked. The frantic guitars of “Lemon Yellow Black” feel like hearing a child describe their squiggly drawing in great detail while the hints of jazz on “I Typed for Miles” showcase the band’s limitless creativity.
Although Jets to Brazil only lasted another two albums, their debut is a sight to behold. Orange Rhyming Dictionary has left behind a legacy lined with raw emotions and expansive arrangements as three dedicated musicians created a hell of a debut record. 25 years later, the sigh of relief that drives these songs is as palpable as the day it was released, proving that the eleven songs featured on Orange Rhyming Dictionary deserve every bit of praise it received.
