It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year and a half since we last heard from Jerusafunk on record. And if their debut record, Sweat & Glitter, was a full album, then The Hierophant is a double album. I’m not sure if there are any other Klezploitation bands in the world, but if there are, Jerusafunk should be crowned as the royalty of such a movement. The band can barely fit on a stage, but I want to make sure everyone fits on the page: Jessie Demaree (clarinet/bass clarinet/vocals), Chris Del Favero (guitar/vocals), Elliott Fox (tenor saxophone/bass clarinet/flute), Ricky Smash (alto saxophone), Torrey McDannald (trumpet), Isaac Parker (bass), Zack Parker (guitar), Caleb Michel (drums/percussion), Jeremy Lentz (drums) and Connor Sample (drums).
The Hierophant will likely be the subject of numerous articles and studies of popular music and how Eastern European Jewish tradition has influenced the indie scene of Phoenix, Arizona. It’s such an unlikely setting for such beautifully fun music. There is nothing to compare them to in this century, and that’s the way I like it. There’s never a dull moment here, but more importantly, there’s never a moment that will escape your enjoyment—even when it borders on being a surrealist soundtrack to a cosmic cartoon.
This is your perfect album to get weird with all summer long, around the pool, in your room and most especially when played for unsuspecting guests at a party. You will wait with eager anticipation for the first person to ask, “What the hell are we listening to?” It’s fun, groovy and funky all over the place. This is not your grandmother’s klezmer music, that’s for sure, but this will have you dancing far harder than that ever could.