Guitar Sounds Of James Burton, The - Jame Burton

Advantages: Bold, Inventive, Brilliantly Produced
Disadvantages: None

...from understated to impassioned as the pace and volume pick up. The harmonious (and highly unfashionably folky) chorus, is both infectious and completely original. Only James could pull something this grand off without sounding like cretins! As the guitars gather in intensity a lonely violin sound is added to the mix, before the song reaches a fuzzy, frazzled, glorious conclusion. Booth sings; “Daniel drinks his weight Drinks like Richard Burton Dance like John Travolta Now” It was incredibly brave of James to not finish the album with “Getting Away With It” - yet closing track “Alaskan Pipeline” is almost the definitive album closer of all-time. If ever a band were signing off in style then this track is it. The song is practically a raised hand and a faint smile from a crowded carriage as the train chugs out of the station... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful songs, emotional, clever lyrics, great voice
Disadvantages: Not keen on the cover art

...quality to it. Blunt's voice can express a vast array of emotions really well and he uses his 'soft voice' to great effect here. This song is pretty, but slightly dull and feels rather like a filler to me. I certainly wouldn't expect it to ever be a single release. 7/10 9) Annie The anger and passion return to James Blunt's voice for track nine - Annie. This is about fame and celebrity again and is one of his more produced songs. It has a full sound with lots of instruments and depth - and lots of twangy guitars! 8/10 10) I Can't Hear The Music The final track has a haunting start, which reminds me of James Bond. In fact, I did fleetingly wonder whether this would be the theme tune for the next Daniel Craig blockbuster! After the initial James Bond idea though, it seems a bit samey to me and not a particularly... Read review

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Advantages: it's not Hear'say
Disadvantages: bland

...on "Later: With Jools Holland". Did you see it?. Superb set and what about Tim Booth? The man is a genuine grade A pop nutter. The image of him dancing will live with me for a long time. So what is their new album like? Well I have to admit to being a bit disappointed by it. There is no denying that James are consummate pop pros and Tim Booth can write good songs however, to my mind, this is not a patch on "Millionaires". Each song sounds pleasant enough but its lacks a certain spark, it has no "joie de vivre", it is (the horror) bland and innoffensive. Which is all the more surprising as it is for the most part co-produced by Brian Eno, the guy who made U2 into the global phenomenom they are today. Here, there is very little sign of his undoubted genuis. Here are the tracks*: Space - I'd call this a typical mid-90s James track. Mid... Read review

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