Mouth of the Gift Horse
The gospel stomp of Coal
War that opens Joshua James’ second album Build Me This, released in 2009, is a strong start with its potent
ensemble vocals. What follows is quite a mix of loud and soft, slow and fast,
acoustic and electric eclecticism. His voice can be wispy in that
way where affectation resides, but I think it is just how he sounds, so you’ll
either like or wince at times. Third song Weeds,
an acoustic folk number, has the Ray Lamontagne about it, at a higher register,
the accompanying harmony vocal adding variation. Fifth Mother Mary, with its fuzzed guitar start, picks up the pace as it pounds
out more of a rock stomp. It is an album, however, dominated by the vocal which
is ultimately an acquired taste. This is, I know, a reserved review, but I do
recommend as a free download from noisetrade, who I have promoted before. James
is clearly keen to get his work out there again, and this album is quite
listenable, with Coal War on its own
worth the time to avail yourself of the free gesture. And that song/performance
does indicate the promise there.
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