What’s with these rocking bands coming out of Jersey? For such a tiny little state and built on industry and extreme’s it seems to produce some really talented bands as of late (umm Thursday, Saves The Day, Fell Far behind!). I admit, I have only been there once and it was driving through to NYC and we almost died in Jersey rush-hour and have seen the jersey stereotype videos on youtube – But if it can produce a band such as Desoto Jones, then it can’t be THAT bad, right?

The title of the disc sums up how I feel about it. The expanse of Aurora, the images it projects of a dawn of a new day (or, If you grew up in Northern Canada, the Aurora Borealis). This record is huge and the 5 members lay everything on the line and show their cards for their Deep Elm debut.

Success sometimes starts with a push in the right direction, and Desoto Jones sure got a helping hand with their producer Chris Badami (Dillinger Escape Plan, The Early November, Midtown, The Starting Line). The sound comes out very clean and includes everything you could want on a rock record – the classic acoustic track, the real rocking ones, heartfelt ballads (born from growing up in Jersey I’m sure).

Desoto Jones are one of those bands who surprise me with a debut record, sounding like they have done this thing for years and only having a budding career in front of them to conquer.

I gotta wonder though, what’s it like playing in a band with 3 of your brothers? The Staszewski brothers much have some patience, that’s for sure.

Write them love letters at http://www.myspace.com/desotojones