Laid

by

James

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Few albums I have encountered have the raw ability to consistently absorb listeners than James' Laid. Although receiving scant U.S. radio attention, this album intimately captures loneliness, fear, anger, frustration and reserved optimism. Two upbeat radio-hits, "Sometimes" and "Laid," complement the captivatingly mellow, hypnotically repetitious melodies of the rest of the album.

Booth's haunting vocal melodies and lyrical passion blend intensity and beauty in his exploration of themes criticizing Christianity (One of the Three; "I need proof before belief"), love and relationships (Five -O; "If we last forever, hope I'm the first to die"), and societal influence and expectations (Dream Thrum: "We made you feel the way you are is wrong: If you don't play the game, we'll make you change. I've changed ...").

In 12 of the 13 songs, James enhances absorbing moods, with the exception of the rather annoying, seemingly misplaced riff, Low Low Low, the only interruption to the album's otherwise soothing flow. It's the only track I am forced to skip in order to enjoy the grace of the other tracks. Despite this song, the album maintains a distinction unparalleled elsewhere, giving me one of the only musical collections consistently enjoyable for 14 or so years.

All I can say is that one of the saddest evenings of my life was when the DJ of the Hollywood Club in Seoul told me that he'd lost his copy of this CD. He wasn't too upset because I was the only person who ever asked him to play the title track. For me it symbolised a certain kind of English sense of humour and songwriting that I didn't get too much exposure to while I was there. Anyway to any casual surfer who comes across this review I can certainly recommend James although my favourite one of theirs is the CD that has Sit Down and How Was It For You on it.