Altar Magazine says: Moody, deep, smokey, thick, layered, ethereal vocals. Clean but complex, smooth but intriguing with well constructed songs and rhythms that have a certain something that says... this is Jute, not one of a million other bands. The CD lives up to the "narcotic" part of it's name, it's hypnotic instrumentals and sweet, dreaminess demand more than one listen. But it's much to smooth to be violent. The music is layered in a intriguing way that made me eager to discover what each track would unfold into. There is no guessing where each song will go - each is a journey to a different place in space and time. It won't make you dance, it won't make you cry, but it can set you free to relax and let dreams fly... there isn't a flat or boring tune on this record.

Maximum Ink says: A narcotic that is VIOLENT? Could this music be the soundtrack to a high suspense high tech pop geek movie? Or perhaps it's one of the fresher breezes to blow out of Chicago lately....Miss Axis' ethereal vocals will enchant and entice you, as the subtle sultry rhythms wash over you...You will need your "Violent Narcotic" fix again and again. And again. I know. I am a Jute junkie. This is spellbinding music for your winter in oblivion. Press play. --Andrew Frey, Maximum Ink

BabySue Magazine says: Interesting Chicago band. The tunes on "a violent narcotic" sound something like a cross between Bill Laswell, The Cocteau Tewins, and Yoko Ono. Jute compositions are built around dub-like rhythms and feature spooky electronics that merge with hypnotic female vocals. While the tunes have definite parameters, the band obviously enjoys experimenting with sounds. These 11 tracks are dense and peculiar, yet they have a strangely calming effect. Wonderful stuff here, particularly when you consider the fact that the band is doing it all on their own. Bewildering and satisfying. [Excellent rating]