Laid - James

It's hard to do justice to this album in a review. Quite simply, the whole thing is just breathtaking. Reviewing this album 9 years after its original release it's amazing that the album is timeless. Even now, I still play this album occasionally and am constantly amazed by just how good it is. Inspired by the acoustic tour the band had just completed whilst supporting Neil Young on his American tour, this album has more of an acoustic feel to it than other releases by James. The opening track Out To Get You is arguably, the best song the band have ever produced. With heart-rending lyrics and atmospheric music as an ...

As you hear the mellow, melancholic opening bass noodling of 'Out to Get You', you may be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be a somewhat sleepy, chilled out affair. Any such misconceptions are soon dispelled however by the unstoppable energetic and up-beat second track, 'Sometimes (Lester Piggot)'. A beautiful and uplifting paean to the elements, with such indy-tastic lyrics as "There's four new colours in the rainbow, an old man's taking Polaroids, but all he captures is endless rain, endless rain, he says listen, takes my head and puts my ear to his, and I swear I can hear the sea!", this song is like the lustful zest of ...

James are just such a good group and this album is a testament to that. High quality music is the theme throughout, with great songs such as Sometimes and One of The Three. If you buy this album you won't be disappointed, it is James in the truest sense! The blend is wonderful, from moving melody on Out To Get You to the poppy more up beat Say Something. It might be getting a little long in the tooth but it's still worth having now. ...