Nick Varley CD of the week
Way back, when The Smiths were emerging as the greatest English talent of the Eighties, they took another Manchester indie band out as support on tour. Now, 13 years later, all those who have come across James in a subsequent incarnation – from much-lauded indie kids to derided, alleged Simple Minds soundalikes – can catch up.
The Best of (PolyGram) will hold few surprises for any fans of the unique combination of intelligence and emotion that James bring to a sort of Britpop. The single Destiny Calling and the absolute beauty, Runaground, are the only new songs. But those who just remember Come Home or Sit Down should take the chance to feel the quality, in quantity.
On the most intense songs, such as the stunning Out to Get You, they combine to produce moments of fragile introspection not unlike the best Radiohead, circa The Bends – except James were there first.
The 1992 album Seven was mauled by many critics, despite Born of Frustration and the anthem to independence Ring the Bells, while the following year’s Laid was criminally critically overlooked.
There are many tracks to love. Sit Down, the Tubthumping of its day, is the prime example, but others include Come Home, How Was It for You and Lose Control, all from the halcyon days of 1990. The very best moments, however, are from Laid, especially the epic Somtimes.
Destiny Calling was a pointed rant, perhaps justifiable after 13 frustrating years, against the music business. With Hymn from a Village it closes a stunning compilation. James are a classic band you owe it to yourself to revisit -or discover.