Yes, I am stealing this idea from whoever it was that did the "Guide to Bright Eyes" thread not too long ago. The band James deserves a lot more recognition than they get, and people need to hear them. I'm here to spread the word.



Stutter, 1986
****
This is the band's debut album. It's essentially folk-like, but it's very raw and uninhibited. Drums and bass provide a solid foundation for all songs, with mostly acoustic guitars sprinkled in limited doses throughout. Tim Booth's vocals are wild, unlike he'll ever sound again. Key Tracks:"Johnny Yen", "Black Hole"


Strip-Mine, 1988
**
The band's second album, and easily their worst. There's some fine tracks here, but none that rank with the best work James have done. They've lost the very free, wild folk tinges of Stutter and replaced them with 80's cliche's, it seems. It's worth checking out for a hardcore fan, but that's about it. Key Tracks:"Charlie Dance", "Riders"


Gold Mother / James, 1990/1991
****
Depending on what side of the Atlantic you live on, the band's next album was either Gold Mother (UK) or James (US). Gold Mother was released in the UK, with a single following not too long after, "Sit Down", which was not included on the album. The song was a success, so for the American release of the album, they changed it up a bit. They changed the tracklisting up a bit and stuck "Sit Down" on as the lead track. This is the first time James came close to a classic album (something they'd accomplish with their next TWO albums). "Sit Down", along with the anthemic "Come Home" are among the band's finest work. The awkward, 8 minute "Gold Mother" is the only thing keeping this album from being a bona-fide classic. Key Tracks: "Lose Control", "Come Home"


Seven, 1992
*****
Keeping the arena rock sensibilities found on Gold Mother intact, James expanded them here on the follow up album, Seven. If you ask me, this is the band's finest, and most representative work. With the band now a septetalmos tpositive, they took advantage of this new dynamic to form a sprawling, sweeping sound. Key Tracks"Born of Frustration", "Ring The Bells", "Don't Wait That Long"


Laid, 1993
*****
James turned down the volume for their second classic, the layered and beautiful Laid. Brian Eno's gorgeous production is key here. There's no big arena rock to be found here, and the closest it comes is the joyous acoustic bombast of "Sometimes (Lester Piggot)", in my opinion the band's greatest song. Key Tracks "Sometimes (Lester Piggot", "Say Something"


Wah Wah, 1994
***1/2
The band recorded Wah Wah, an album filled will completely improvised songs and sound explorations, at the same time as Laid. As the liner notes aptly explain, it was Brian Eno's idea to have the band record two albums at once, one full of completely improv's that the band usually formed its songs from. The band is on top form here, and these tracks show what a great chemistry they had. Key Tracks "Pressure's On", "Jam J", "Honest Joe"


Whiplash, 1997
***
James never really lost the plot, but the closest they came was here on Whiplash. Taking the slight electronic flourishes that detailed Wah Wah and expanding them, James came out with a very mixed bag. Granted there are still some very strong tracks here, but there are also some of their weakest, and they sound awkward against each other. This album would benefit greatly from a re-ordered tracklisting, but as it is, it's still a good album. Key Tracks"Waltzing Along", "Go To The Bank"


Millionaires, 1999
***1/2
Rebounding from the botched experimentalism of Whiplash, James took the electronic dabblings and combined them with the same kind of anthemic melodies that characterized their early 90's albums. A solid work all the way through, but does not contain any absolutely stellar moments, bar the opening track "Crash" Key Tracks: "Crash", "Afro Lover"


Pleased to Meet You, 2001
****1/2
James closed the book on their impressive catalogue with their finest album since Laid. The band keep their electronic fixation alive here, and it sounds the best it ever has on tracks like "Junkie" and "English Beefcake." Just like Millionaires, this effort is rock solid, but in contrast, does contain some brilliant moments, making it another near-classic. Key Tracks: "Space" "Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)"



I did not include the band's two live albums One Man Clapping, Getting Away With It...Live, or the b-sides compilation Ultra.

You ought check these guys out.

Interesting, never heard of them

Check 'em out!

"laid" is one of the few songs i actually enjoy hearing every cover band at a bar play. its also the only song i know by james, but its good nontheless

i'm downloading now, will update

I've got Millionairs and Whiplash. They're okay. I havnt listend to either in probably years.

the only song i've ever heard by them is "laid". and i fucking hate that song.

I don't know James.

I'm only posting because I hate to see a post with actual thought and work put into it slide down the board, while "What are you eating" posts are consistenly upped.

James is a fucking amazing band! Definitely one of my all-time favorites (too bad they're not together anymore).

If anyone is looking for a good introduction to them, I recommend their double live album, Getting Away With It...Live. I bought this cd about a year ago, and I still listen to it on average at least once a week.

Laid is a good song, but they have so many more that are much better.
Other songs I'd recommend: Sometimes, Out To Get You, Space, Getting Away With It, Ring the Bells, Someone's Got It In For Me, Sit Down, Sound.

My all time favorite James song is Protect Me - the live version of this song off of Getting Away With It...Live is simply gorgeous (and pretty easy to play on guitar, too - G, Bm, Em, C)

They're more popular in Europe than in the States I think. They have some great songs. Never heard a entire album.

I love that song "Laid", it's quite catchy. I should check out more.

Seven or Laid are probably the best starting points.

I reccommend James' "Best Of"

http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=ti ... g=48&pa=sr



Great great band, not listened to them for a while.

Tim Booth has really good voice.

As dyingonahilltop mentioned they do deserve more recognition

Yes, there's that one too. I actually haven't heard it, though I've heard every song from it.

omg omg omg omg omg did someone tell you I have been dling them like crazy I'm completely in love with them If you or someone you know knows where I can find bootlegs let me know

Have you heard Tim Booth's solo album? It's really good!

i fuckin hate that laid song

i hate it!!
i hate it!!

every time im in a bar it gets played like 8 times in one night, and when he goes ayyyyeeeee i wish james was in the bar so i could hit him

Funny, at a time there were two men named Jim in the band...but neither of them sang

*plays "Laid" just to spite you*

laid and she's a star are both quite good.

Everyone who reads this thread owes it to themselves to at least download the song "Sometimes (Lester Piggot)" or "Born of Frustration"

I have had WOO WOO WOO WOO WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO in my head all week lol