AMG Review of Portable Model of Joan of Arc

Blake Butler
All Music Guide

From the ashes of the legendary Chicago emo band Cap'n Jazz came the Promise Rings boys and this highly experimental and very quirky pop-synth, whiny-soothing indie rock band Joan of Arc. This, their first release, consists mainly of interesting and calm instrumentation, odd sounds and effects, and the sometimes heavenly, sometimes over-the-edge vocals of Tim Kinsella. Most people will either fall in love immediately with this album, or find it hideous. But there is definitely something that stands out about this band -- too bad no one can put a finger on just what that something is.