James
Girl at the End of the World
Reviewed by: Geno Thackara
Popular trends come and go, but James cares about them as much as the real world cares about celebrity gossip. The band has a long colorful history – the name alone reminds you they were around before Internet search engines existed – and through it all they’ve been comfortable in their own skin, generally fitting under the pop/rock umbrella while staying too amorphous to be pinned down. These are the kind of guys who let the music guide them more than vice versa. Catchy singalongs, simple slow-burners, abstract meanderings and arena anthems are all fair game. What comes out is whatever they’re thinking and feeling, however offbeat or uncool a shape it takes.
Last time around this approach resulted in 2014’s La Petite Mort, which has to be the most uplifting album about death I’ve ever heard. This followup may not feel quite as transcendent with its more common subject matter, but they’re definitely sounding more at ease these days after some time moving on. Girl at the End of the World has a degree of freshness and fun that almost shouldn’t be allowed for a group already in their fourth decade. Right off the bat, the rocking highway grooves of “Bitch” and “To My Surprise” pack the most energetic one-two punch they’ve opened a recording with in years.
The band wanders through their whole career’s sonic range with chiming guitars and subtle trumpet shadings, from the exuberant semi-cheesy electronic beats of “Surfer’s Song” to the haunting synth-pop of “Dear John,” which almost could have come from the mid-80s if it wasn’t for the mentions of texting and e-mail. There are a couple such darker moments, but James is one band that even a jaded cynic like me can count on for an optimistic boost in the end. The occasional high-flying ballad like “Nothing But Love” might get dangerously close to saccharine, but the delivery (backed with a buoyant chorus of voices, no less) is so genuinely good-natured that even my bitter heart is willing to go along with it.
We should all hope to mature in fine style as well as these fellows are doing. “While this world can drive me fucking mad / just off to the side is love and laughter,” Tim Booth croons in his distinct honeyed tenor as we draw toward the end, and that’s a great description of his band and their attitude as well. Girl… shows that they’re still not afraid to take on all those ups and downs with open arms.
Rating: Vibrant
