Rumors of Being Jane Lane’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Of course, they have; not only that but in this increasingly embittered and entrenched post-pandemic world and certainly in the face of a second Trump presidency (in the very loosest sense of the word) and the effects that is already having on people’s attitudes and outlooks, we need them more than ever.
And so, they are back with a second album, comprising eleven sonic salvos dealing with everything from love and loss to more soul-searching sentiments, from social commentary and political observations to personal reflections. More thoughtful and introspective this time out, but still an in-your-face force to be reckoned with.
“We’re Doing Fine” is also a reminder that punk, though tarred with the notion of not being a very adventurous sound, is actually as diverse as any other musical genre. If “Tiny Hands” is a sonic onslaught in the same vein as ’77 Brit punk, then “Misery” owes more to the CBGB’s more melodic new-wave/punk sound. And then there are songs such as “Cats on a Saturday Night,” which leave punk way behind and instead embrace a Latin-infused neo-pop sound…you weren’t expecting that, were you?
“Titanic” plays with pop-punk’s blends of angst and accessibility, groove and grind, and “Oceangate” is almost heavy metal! It is safe to say that Being Jane Lane skitter all over the musical map of influence and inspiration.
“We’re Doing Fine” is an apt title; it never sounded more like a band was having fun and doing things the way they wanted to. And that way is with a naughty, powerful, confrontational, tell-it-like-it-is, say-what-‘s-on-your-mind run-through approach, not just the punk sound but a raiding party running through any and all adjoining sonic pastures too.
