Jamesy music
I just got my new James CD (Like a Waterfall). I'm pretty late to the party here, since most people seem to have gotten their CDs at the LA launch, or from people who went to the launch and brought home extra copies. I think this is the kind of CD that needs to grow on me. I liked it better the second time I listened to it. Musically, it's better than Civilized Man, but since I'm not at all familiar with any of these songs, they don't yet inspire the "aww, bless, it's James" fuzzy feelings that his earlier stuff does. Also, I have virtually no experience hearing these live (I've only been to one concert, and sadly, the four-hour traffic jam left more of an impression than the actual concert), so unlike most people, I'm not comparing these versions to live performances that may have been better or different. More detailed thoughts under the cut.
Not a Millionaire: Eh. Sounds like bubble-gum pop, in the "Katie" or "No Promises" vein. Personally, I think I like the earlier songs better. Verses are good, but the chorus seems to have this clunky feel to it.
Looking at You: Great tune, catchy rhythm, but I don't think it's a surprise to anyone to say that his lyrics are astoundingly trite. Basically, I'd love to sing along, but I just can't, because the words make me feel silly.
Don't Worry Son: Decent. People who've heard this song live seem to have a love for it that I don't quite get, but I like it.
Birth of the Blues: Oh, James. The blues is maybe not your thing. I do like him growly, but when he hit that "random noises that sound like he's choking or having a stroke" section, I really went "WTF??"
White Hot Girls: Catchy. I like it. This is the kind of song that would go in my work-out mix.
London City: I also like this one. Kinda reminds me of a Coldplay song (who, coincidentally, I associate with my time in London). Slower and sadder than most of the songs on the album, but I'm up for a little variety. It kinda sounds like it should be a little slower on the chorus.
Up On Me: AKA, the song that has been in my head NON-STOP since I first listened to the CD. Seriously catchy chorus. Love it.
Like a Waterfall: Kinda sweet, very folksy. Not my favorite, but it's not bad.
Louise: This song really reminds me of something else, but I can't figure out what it is! It's gonna bug me. Other than that, though, it's cute and fun. Doesn't really seem like James' style, but I wouldn't mind hearing him do more playful stuff like this.
When I Was a Baby: Okay, better blues attempt than the first one. Plus, the "James as a baby" image is just too cute for words.
Layabout: This song has that whiny, nasal quality to it that Patricia had. (Ahem. The song, not the girlfriend.) I remember liking Patricia better when he sang it live, so maybe this one improves live as well, but the tone just makes me cringe.
Too Fast: This one reminds me of Poor Robyn, with that slow, plodding-along feeling. Except worse. It took me a while to warm up to Robyn, and I like it now, but this one's got the potato chip line, which may make it irredeemable.
So, basically, I love the middle of the CD, with my interest waning as we go out to the beginning and the end. There are a few songs on here that I'd rather he'd replaced with All That She Wanted or Fall of Night, but overall, not bad. The music is definitely stronger than the lyrics, which has always been the case for James, I think.
Also, I bought Christian Kane's CD (Kane - which is the name of both the band and the album) a couple weeks ago, and I can't help comparing the two a little bit. I LOVE Kane - it's very country, and I don't usually do country, but it's just so infectious, I can't help singing along (and I've noticed myself adopting a slight southern drawl when I do... this could also have to do with my recent love affair with Friday Night Lights). I'm impressed with CK's lyrics (especially when I compare them to James), and I think his band has a more cohesive sound than James and his random collection of musicians (seriously, either get yourself a band again or do the whole thing alone). I don't really see anyone who's not already a James fan enjoying his music, but Kane make me go, "Lindsey who?"
Not a Millionaire: Eh. Sounds like bubble-gum pop, in the "Katie" or "No Promises" vein. Personally, I think I like the earlier songs better. Verses are good, but the chorus seems to have this clunky feel to it.
Looking at You: Great tune, catchy rhythm, but I don't think it's a surprise to anyone to say that his lyrics are astoundingly trite. Basically, I'd love to sing along, but I just can't, because the words make me feel silly.
Don't Worry Son: Decent. People who've heard this song live seem to have a love for it that I don't quite get, but I like it.
Birth of the Blues: Oh, James. The blues is maybe not your thing. I do like him growly, but when he hit that "random noises that sound like he's choking or having a stroke" section, I really went "WTF??"
White Hot Girls: Catchy. I like it. This is the kind of song that would go in my work-out mix.
London City: I also like this one. Kinda reminds me of a Coldplay song (who, coincidentally, I associate with my time in London). Slower and sadder than most of the songs on the album, but I'm up for a little variety. It kinda sounds like it should be a little slower on the chorus.
Up On Me: AKA, the song that has been in my head NON-STOP since I first listened to the CD. Seriously catchy chorus. Love it.
Like a Waterfall: Kinda sweet, very folksy. Not my favorite, but it's not bad.
Louise: This song really reminds me of something else, but I can't figure out what it is! It's gonna bug me. Other than that, though, it's cute and fun. Doesn't really seem like James' style, but I wouldn't mind hearing him do more playful stuff like this.
When I Was a Baby: Okay, better blues attempt than the first one. Plus, the "James as a baby" image is just too cute for words.
Layabout: This song has that whiny, nasal quality to it that Patricia had. (Ahem. The song, not the girlfriend.) I remember liking Patricia better when he sang it live, so maybe this one improves live as well, but the tone just makes me cringe.
Too Fast: This one reminds me of Poor Robyn, with that slow, plodding-along feeling. Except worse. It took me a while to warm up to Robyn, and I like it now, but this one's got the potato chip line, which may make it irredeemable.
So, basically, I love the middle of the CD, with my interest waning as we go out to the beginning and the end. There are a few songs on here that I'd rather he'd replaced with All That She Wanted or Fall of Night, but overall, not bad. The music is definitely stronger than the lyrics, which has always been the case for James, I think.
Also, I bought Christian Kane's CD (Kane - which is the name of both the band and the album) a couple weeks ago, and I can't help comparing the two a little bit. I LOVE Kane - it's very country, and I don't usually do country, but it's just so infectious, I can't help singing along (and I've noticed myself adopting a slight southern drawl when I do... this could also have to do with my recent love affair with Friday Night Lights). I'm impressed with CK's lyrics (especially when I compare them to James), and I think his band has a more cohesive sound than James and his random collection of musicians (seriously, either get yourself a band again or do the whole thing alone). I don't really see anyone who's not already a James fan enjoying his music, but Kane make me go, "Lindsey who?"