HEY MA - FIRST IMPRESSIONS 2007
During their 2007 tour dates, and in particular two shows at London's Hoxton Bar And Grill in September, James unveiled nineteen new songs.
The nineteen tracks to date are below with my thoughts based on the live performances over the summer of 2007 and the setlist notes from the Hoxton September gigs (the ones I can read at least!). Saul is playing a lot more violin on these tracks, and it takes some clutter out of the sound now Larry is back and has taken over lead guitar duties. Andy's trumpet is all over the songs and they benefit immensely from it, even Upside which was premiered before Andy came back. What's evident is that the communication between the band is back and it stands out a mile in the music, there's a passion and excitement there and the thrill of playing live together is there. Hopefully, the focus and energy can be translated to the record. Speaking to Tim, a lot of the lyrics are still very much work in progress and will probably change drastically over the next few weeks before they are laid down in the castle in France. Hence I won't focus on them here, especially as actually noting them down during the song isn't that easy when you're trying to listen to the songs.
72 (aka A/B) - One of the highlights for me. Upbeat and funky, it kicks in straight away and then almost broods to allow Tim to half sing half talk the words. It ends with Tim and Andy going head to head, vocals against trumpet. Larry and Saul add some very impassionate backing vocals. There's a great line in there "go left, go right, straight on, in a roundabout way."
Of Monsters And Heroes And Men (aka Better In Black) - Starts with what appears to be a stream of consciousness verse with a simple backing track led by Mark's keyboards, Jim's bass with flourishes of trumpet. There's clever wordplay in the chorus where Tim sings "either way, either way", but uses two different pronunciations. The song ends with just Tim and Mark. Another potential closing track for the album.
Boom Boom - This closed the set both nights at Hoxton. I think exhaustion from taking in fifteen new songs meant it didn't stand out much the first night. With a bit more familiarity, it sounded much better on the second night. There's no standout performance from any member of the band on it that marks out some of the other songs, but it shouldn't be discounted for that reason.
Bubbles - By nature of being one we had heard before Hoxton, this is more formed and the lyrics don't appear to have changed too much. It appears be about evolution in the same way Bone was, how human beings have been created from nature. It explodes wonderfully in a flurry of a trumpet and impassioned lyrics about pulling down tornadoes and hurricanes and the joy about being alive and such like. It doesn't sound like a single, but it could be the centrepiece of the album.
Child To Burn - This opened the set at both Hoxton shows in September. It's more a piece of music than a song, it wouldn't feel out of place on Wah Wah. Andy whistles into the mouth of his trumpet to add effects and Tim is trying out a new vocal style that works very impressively. It'd make a lovely album closer. It's another song that talks about being away from home.
Fear? - This was only played on the first night at Hoxton and needed more work, particularly as Tim didn't have a lyric sheet as it was one of the even newer songs. It's a slower track, showing off Larry's guitar work and Andy's trumpet, combining to provide music that sounds like a ripple effect. It's brimming with promise.
Good Mood Sunday - Another grower. This seemed a little flat and directionless on the first night, but the improvement in the sound on the second night meant much of the subtlety in the song was in evidence. Flourishes of violin and trumpet pull it out of being pure filler. With some more work it could become one of those gorgeous yearning songs that James pull out every so often.
Hey Ma - A song about 9/11 and the consequences with very direct references to the Iraq war. The chorus "hey ma, your boys in bodybags are coming home in pieces" is reminiscent in sentiment of Mother on Seven, but it's a much stronger, fleshed out song.
I Wanna Go Home - A very simple and basic song underpinned by Jim's bass and Dave's drums. The chorus is a repeated almost spoken chant of "I wanna go home right now". It has a beautiful keyboard outro from Mark. It sounded a lot better on the second night than the first night, where I found it disappointing and a little bit too simple, but that could be down to the sound.
Mother's A Clown - One of a number of songs written about the wonders of parenthood, I suspect Tim talking to his son about Kate "hanging upside down". It starts with a trumpet call from Andy and is led by Dave's drumming, it has potential single material written all over it.
Not So Strong - Originally revealed at the June Hoxton gig, the structure of the song has basically remained the same, however the lyrics have changed considerably. The boxing references are still there, but it's theme is emotional strength. It's six or seven minutes in length, and there's probably more than one song in there as well. It builds to a climax with Tim chanting "get up".
Oh My Heart - This sounds like something that could have been on the Booth and the Bad Angel and it's not a bad thing. Watching and listening to Larry's guitarwork on this one was a pleasure and there's a brooding, almost threatening undercurrent to it. The chorus is very simple, but it works very well.
Out Of Our Heads - Less than three minutes of pure pop, starting with Tim yelling the title, something he repeats at different points within the song. Very much a potential single, Andy's trumpet sprawls over Tim's fast-paced vocals. Some interesting lyrical references too.
Semaphore (aka Pure Beauty) - Another first night song only. It wasn't one of my favourites, but not a view shared by some of those stood close by. Another slower track with some stand out violin work from Saul.
Start A Fire - Only played on the second night at Hoxton, and it stood out as one of the most upbeat and fresh tracks of the evening.
Traffic - Premiered at the second Hoxton show, this appears at this point to have been discarded, which is a massive shame as it is a superb song. Musically it's chaotic, but lyrically it's very strong and it appears fully formed and ready to record. Sadly it doesn't appear it's a contender for the album, which must say a lot for the tracks are.
Upside Downside - Anyone who has read any of my reviews will know my feelings on this song. It's written to Kate, about being away from home, being homesick and missing those that you love. The chorus is very simple, but totally expressive "Upside love you, downside miss you, I'm here, you are there". There's a killer instrumental ending after a key change as well and it's improved with Andy's trumpet all over it.. I think this could be a big single, but I did think I Know What I'm Here For was a top 5 cert.
Waterfall - A lovely languid laid-back song which Tim described as escaping the rat race. The highlight is, as with many of the songs, how it builds and builds to an ending, showcasing the vast array of musical talent in the band. There's a Tim and Larry vocal which rather than leading to the end of the song crashes into another chorus and Andy's trumpet is all over the end of the song.
White Boy - A fun song, it could be a companion to Chameleon. Tim uses a cowbell to open up the song with "I'm all mashed up, mum's droning on and on", it has a wonderful part where Tim sings "ah ah ah ah" whilst wagging his finger in admonishment, where Tim sings his girlfriend thinks he looks like Yul Brynner and the very simple chorus of "do you wanna talk to me, White Boy". It's instantly loveable, as Chameleon was, although some may see it as a bit throwaway. One of my favourites though, and it sounds ready to record.