I've been helping The James Rocket a little more than time usually allows for the simple reason that I love what they are trying to do. After hearing stuff on Listening To This Week, the album is here for your delectation. I adore the care that has gone into it.
I know of no other band that send me an album and tag all the tracks with different genres. It shows that they won't be labelled, but also the variety that the quartet offer up. I was just blown away by the variety. I'd have to say that it was Even Our Closest Friends Are Distant which opens the album which drew me to them.
It is a song that is right up my street, noisy, interesting, all over the place and completely engaging. It isn't really representative of what they do, but it sucked me in completely. For instance, Autumn is late 60s UK Psych Beat and Chip is pure Brit Pop, so you'll understand that you are in for quite a journey.
Pharaohs is Noo Yawk Sleeze, Ugly Room is almost Classic Rock and Winter Flowers is wonderful Art Rock. Sea Of Dolls is slightly Garage Rock and Penny is the sound of my youth, top notch UK New Wave attitude beautifully presented.
Ripping Off The Mitchells was the second song that I fell off, splendidly spiteful both musically and lyrically. All street attitude. A little bit like the sound of Woking with an absolute corker of a solo which is almost experimental and unexpected.
Seen is a wonderful example of how time and patience provides excellence. Great variety, but not performed to seem so. Enough attitude to be meaningful, but with a willingness to experiment and not be content the norm. An absolute cracker!
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl or as a download.
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