Pitchfork

North Carolinia's Jolene conjure images of Boo Radley and the banjo playing kid from "Deliverance" on their major label debut, In the Gloaming, a moody and overcast collection of melodic, beefy rock tracks.

Guitars permeate the album but never dominate. First cousins (note the "Deliverance" theme) John Cooke and Dave Burris share vocal and guitar duties, blending together well. Peter Holsapple, formerly of the DB's, contributes keyboards on several songs, providing much needed redemption and resolution.

Following up their debut release, Hell's Half Acre, Jolene wasted no time getting down to business. Just days after signing a major label deal with Sire Records, Jolene picked up and barricaded themselves into a Montreal studio. Paring down their songs from 16 new ones and several studio inspired tracks, Jolene culled together 14 songs for In the Gloaming.

Some songs, like the lead track "Pensacola," are almost sing- along- worthy. Most, however, are downtrodden, whitewashed in moonshine and rubbed down in dramatic overtones.

It's going to be hard for Jolene to break through the current sunshine and smile trend that's taking over rock music. Hopefully they'll find something to smile about somewhere out there in their gothic lives.