James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
Now, I have never wholeheartedly embraced this genre of music. I respect many of the artists associated with it, and I dare say I even like some of them. But the dreariness and saminess (yes, that’s a word I just made up) of what we will call, for the purposes of this exercise, ‘rhythm and jazz soul blues pop’ is a pet peeve of mine as a music fan. It jolly well winds me up.
About now you’re probably thinking something along the lines of: “Oh dear. Poor journalism. It should be impartial.” Well if you were, I would like to take this opportunity to put your mind at ease. You can rest peacefully in your bed tonight dear reader because I approached this album with a completely open mind. I was ready to enjoy it. I was ready to say “I’ve been such a fool, it’s wonderful! How could I have been so blind to the genius and originality of this woman?!” I was totally prepared to fall in love with Miss Bailey Rae and become a rhythm and jazz soul blues pop fan forever. Hell, I even kind of wanted this to happen. But did it? No.
First, I’d like to talk about The Sea. Or was it I Like To Call It Beauty? I can’t remember to be honest because they sounded the same to me. Maybe it’s the same beat with different lyrics? Maybe that’s it. Both sets are largely inaudible and dreary. Depressing even. Don’t get me wrong on this one, I’m not saying we should all be listening to happy, upbeat songs about love and kindness and giving to charity and helping old ladies cross the street. I’m not saying that at all. I like Joy Division, for the love of God, and it doesn’t get more downbeat than that, my friend. What I am saying is, why do we as music fans consistently roll over and allow these artists to release a never-ending series of clichéd and dreary noises, not-so-cunningly masquerading as ‘easy-listening music’? If you want relaxation and easy listening, get yourself a Debussy CD.
The tracks on The Sea merge into one, like the paint pallet of a particularly messy child. Come to think of it, this analogy could also be used to describe the current crop of artists in this genre. Imogen Heap, Jack Johnson, Corinne Bailey Rae. Most of Beyoncé’s work too, to be quite frank. Where are the lines drawn? Who’s who? I think it would be much more sensible to consider these artists as a single entity because let’s face it, take a run-of-the-mill tune from each of these people and they all sound the same. Except, Jack Johnson has got a deeper voice. Actually, Beyoncé has quite a deep voice. But that’s beside the point Yes. Let’s call ‘it’ ‘Imack Bowles Rae.’ Then you know what you’re looking for. Something slow for 40-somethings to put on in the background of a dinner party to make your friends think you’re ‘with it’ because you bought a new album. Otherwise OK. Oh, and I quite liked the picture on the album cover. It had trees on it. I like pretty tree pictures.
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