Office of Future Plans - J Robbins Strikes Gold Again

J Robbins, while maybe not a household name, has produced some of the most compelling power pop albums of the past 20 + years.  Like Fugazi's Ian MacKaye, Bad Religion's Brian Baker and the Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl - Robbins' roots are in the legendary DC Hardcore scene as a member of Government Issue.

After GI ground to a halt, Robbins took a different, less punkier path forming the band Jawbox.  During their 8 year run,  Jawbox produced one of the great albums of the "Alternative" Era with 1994's "For Your Own Special Sweetheart".  Post Jawbox,  Robbins formed another Burning Airlines whose debut "Mission Control" which is one of the finest power pop records ever.  Burning Airlines lasted for one more album before breaking up in 2002.  J then formed Channels with his wife Janet Morgan producing one solid album "Waiting for the Next End of the World".   All of these bands specialize in left - of - center, quirky power pop songs driven by Robbins' angular playing most notably in songs such as Jawbox's "Savory" and Burning Airline's "Pacific 231.

Set the clock forward to 2011 and Robbins has done it once again.  His latest band Office of Future Plans features a number of Robbins' trademarks but with a more layered sound and a few new quirks.  The lead track on their self titled debut, "Salamander" is actually more of a rock tune ala Channels with a couple of cool twist and turns.  The album's lead-off single "Harden Your Heart" shows Robbins' ever growing maturity as a song writer and features some great atmospherics from their new secret weapon, cello (yes I said cello) player Gordon Withers.  "Your Several Selves" is another one of those classic, quirky power pop tunes ala Pacific 231.  

As the album progresses, Robbins' maturity as a songwriter and the power of this new ensemble really hits it's stride.  "Abandon" is driven by drummer Darren Zentek's rolling rhythm with some great harmonies and Robbin's piano piano giving Wither's the opportunity to soar on this song.  "You're Not Alone" is a sinister little tune that is completely driven by Withers' cello (doesn't that violate some chapter of the Loud Fast Rules employee manual??).  Not to forget that he is a rocker extraordinaire, FEMA Coffins is blistering little tune that shows J's political side.  

While dedicating the better part of the past of the last 5 years to his other job as a producer and tending to family concerns, Robbins has proven to become even a better songwriter.  Additionally, Office Of Future Plans may be the best sounding album Robbin's has ever made  It's very well produced and incorporates the new elements very organically.  While I'm only on my second listen, this has become my favorite album of the year.  

For my compadres in and around Chicago - Office Of Future Plans is playing at the Beat Kitchen on Dec 3.  I'm going to try to make it - you should too.