Laid (album)

Last updated

Laid
James Laid.jpg
Studio album by
James
Released27 September 1993
RecordedFebruary–March 1993
Studio
Genre
Length55:30
Label Fontana
Producer Brian Eno
James chronology
Seven
(1992)		Laid
(1993)		 Wah Wah
(1994)
Singles from Laid
  1. "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)"
    Released: 30 August 1993
  2. "Laid"
    Released: 1 November 1993

Laid is the fifth studio album by British rock band James. It was released on 27 September 1993 through Fontana Records. The album's sound, which is "stripped-down" compared to their prior releases, was inspired by their recent experience touring as supporting act to Neil Young. Enlisting Brian Eno as producer, James recorded for six weeks at The Windings in Wrexham, Wales, and Real World Studios in Box, Wiltshire. The sessions also resulted in the experimental sixth studio album Wah Wah (1994). Laid is a folk and pop rock album that was reminiscent of their earlier releases with its atmosphere and minimal arrangements.

Contents

The album's lead single, "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)", was released on 30 August 1993. Bolstered by the song's success, James toured the US as part of the WOMAD festival. "Laid" was released as the album's second single on 1 November 1993. The band toured the UK the following month, supported Duran Duran in the US, and finally embarked on their own US tour. Laid has been re-pressed on vinyl three times; it was reissued on CD in 2001, in 2015 as a standalone release, and as part of a box set with Wah Wah. The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom commented on Eno's production. It peaked at number three in the UK and charted in Australia and the US. It was later certified gold in the UK and the US, as was the eponymous track in the UK. "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" and "Laid" both charted in the UK top 40 and "Laid" peaked at number 67 on the Hot 100. Laid appeared on best-of album lists compiled by Les Inrockuptibles , NME and Select, while the eponymous song appeared on best-song-of-the-decade lists by PopMatters and uDiscoverMusic.

Background and writing

James's fourth studio album Seven , which was released in February 1992, sold a million copies worldwide. [1] [2] It peaked at number two in the UK with three of its four singles – "Sound", "Born of Frustration", and "Ring the Bells" – reaching the top 40 of the UK singles chart. [3] "Born of Frustration" was successful on the United States Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, where it reached number five. [4] The band headlined their only United Kingdom show of 1992 to a crowd of 30,000 at the Alton Towers leisure park. [5]

Following this, trumpeter Andy Diagram, who wanted to have other opportunities and missed his girlfriend, left the band, which continued as a six-piece outfit. [2] [6] James supported Neil Young on nine of his US west-coast shows with an acoustic set. [7] They continued touring the US, playing acoustic instead of electric shows as they had intended. Their record company was angered by this decision and threatened to withdraw funding for the tour, but changed their mind after a staff member attended a show. [8] After returning to the UK, James started writing material for their next album. [9]

Production

James wanted to work with producer Brian Eno since their debut studio album Stutter (1986). Vocalist Tim Booth said Eno was "a bit busy and he'd call back in a couple of years." [2] The band sent Eno a letter and six hours' worth of rehearsal tapes. [10] [11] Eno listened to the tapes while on holiday after his wife said she was a fan of James. He became interested in the band after hearing a rough version of "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)". [12] In August 1992, Eno telephoned the band, saying he liked their music and went to the UK to work with them. [2] [6] In early 1993, Eno and engineer Benedict Fenner visited the band at their practice space, Beehive Mill in Manchester, to witness their productivity over three-to-four days. [13] [14] [15] Eno made recordings of the rehearsals to assess the quality of the songwriting. [13] Recording for Laid began in February 1993, initially for one week at drummer David Baynton-Power's studio The Windings in Wrexham, then five more weeks at Real World Studios in Box, Wiltshire. [16] [17] In comparison to Seven, which took several months to record, the six-week recording schedule was intended to provoke spontaneity and capitalized on Eno's limited availability of four days a week. [13] [17]

Brian Eno assisted in the album's production. Brian Eno 2015.png
Brian Eno assisted in the album's production.

Eno arrived at the studio two hours earlier than everyone else so he could listen to the rehearsal tapes. [18] From the hours of recordings, Eno picked out potential ideas he wanted expanded into fully-produced songs. Booth said some of the ideas lasted as little as 20 seconds, and that "Skindiving" and "Dream Thrum" grew from these ideas. [10] Booth said Eno felt the band "completely neglected" the songs "Dream Thrum", "Laid", and "Five-O". [18] Fenner handled most of the recording; he and Eno were assisted by engineer Ben 'Jude' Findlay. "P.S." was recorded by Steve 'Doc' Williams with assistance from Mike Jones and additional recording by Fenner. [16] One day, when Eno was not in the studio, guitarist Larry Gott took on his role and the band recorded "One of the Three", which Eno did not like. [19] During the sessions, Eno had a second studio set up so the band could experiment during downtime. The results of this were later released as the album Wah Wah (1994). [13] Gott said Eno had tapes continuously recording during the process in case they came up with an idea they liked. [9] Bassist Jim Glennie said Eno often encouraged them to experiment, making them "realise that this imperfection was a good thing". [6] Fenner mixed most of the recordings except for "Everybody Knows" and "Low Low Low", both of which were mixed by Markus Dravs. [16]

Composition and lyrics

The 1992 supporting tour for Neil Young influenced Laid's overall stripped-down sound. Neil Young 1996.jpg
The 1992 supporting tour for Neil Young influenced Laid's overall stripped-down sound.

The folk and pop rock sound of Laid recalls the band's earlier material and has a dreamier atmosphere with sparse arrangements. [20] Booth said the band's acoustic touring with Young influenced the album; "You're naked, you're vulnerable, but it's exhilarating ... It's not an acoustic record, but it's a stripped down sound". [2] Eno contributed additional bass and keyboards to the recordings; he and Martine McDonagh, the band's manager and Booth's former partner, sang additional vocals on "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)", "Dream Thrum", and "Five-O". [16]

"Out to Get You" was originally recorded as the B-side to "Lose Control" (1990), which James forgot about until reviving it for the tour with Young. [19] When they were working on the song in the studio, the band attempted to add overdubs. Booth said this changed the feeling of the track so they reverted to the first take of the song. [21] "Out to Get You" sets the tone for the rest of album with Glennie's octave notes, Gott's blues-lite guitar parts, and minimal percussion from Baynton-Power. [22] The song's first-person narrator rues a love over which he is paranoid. [19] [23] "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" is the most rock-centric track on the album with its fast-paced acoustic strumming. [9] The "Lester Piggott" part is inspired by the jockey of the same name, which Booth said was "because it has a racing beat". [24] During recording, Eno "went white and sat down" as Booth sang, later stating he had "just experienced one of the highlights of my musical life". [14] Booth had difficulty writing lyrics he liked for "Dream Thrum". [19] He eventually settled on talking about the effect of culture on individual personality and life choices. [25] It is the only song on album on which keyboardist Mark Hunter played another instrument (a melodica) as well as keyboards. [23]

"One of the Three" is inspired by the experiences of John McCarthy, Brian Keenan, and Terry Waite, who were taken as hostages in Lebanon, and by a scene in Waiting for Godot (1953) in which three characters are on crosses. [23] The band subdued the sound of the pop-leaning "Say Something" because they felt it would be distasteful to put too much emotion behind it. [19] The song, which was written by Booth after an argument, discusses first love and is indebted to the work of U2. [26] [27] [28]

The folk influenced track "Five-O" is about a belief in the narrator's partner in a long-term relationship. [9] [29] "P.S.", which is about a failing relationship, is a demo recording the band felt they could not improve upon; the full version ran for eight minutes before it was reduced. [8] [27] "Everybody Knows" is about helping a depressed person; [19] Glennie said it was planned to appear on Wah Wah but was moved to Laid because the band wanted crossover between releases. [30] "Knuckle Too Far" evolved from a jam session the band had with Bruce Mitchell of the Durutti Column. Originally known as "Bruce Jam," Glennie said this version was "very sparse with nothing going on". [30] The band forgot about the song for nine months. As the band struggled to reinvent it in the studio, they thought about putting that version on the album. Finally, Booth and Gott, unable to hear each other through their monitors, ran through the song again and ended up with a satisfactory version through what Gott described as "this curious kind of miscommunication". [31]

Booth said "Low Low Low" was influenced by the idea only one gene separates humans from apes; he said, "I swing from seeing human beings as apes to seeing them as divine depending on what day you catch me". [32] The song's chorus includes catering staff of Real World – dubbed the Kitchenettes – singing in unison. [16] [19] "Laid" features Gott on slide guitar for the first time since "Really Heard" from Stutter. [9] The song, which comments on sexuality, was inspired by Booth witnessing several relationships that were happening around him. [19] [33] The band initially discarded the song for sounding too much like pop until Eno encouraged the band to continue working on it. [34] Booth's rushed vocals are the result of attempting to encapsulate "that feeling of an intense relationship [that is] out of control". [18] The version that appeared on the album is an early demo that was recorded at The Windings. [35] "Lullaby", which was originally called "Just Human", tackles the effects of child abuse suffered by a friend of Booth's. [19] [36] The album closes with "Skindiving", an ambient track that is about a person delving deeply into a certain frame of mind. [19] [27]

Release

Partway through the recording process, James played a one-off show in Bath, Somerset, where they debuted many of the album's tracks. [37] James supported Young at Finsbury Park, London, on 8 July 1993. The band then performed at the WOMAD festival on 28 August 1993 and travelled across the US with the festival. [38] [39] "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" was released as a single on 30 August 1993 with "America" and "Building a Charge" as extra tracks. [8] [38] The music video for "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" was directed by Tim Pope. [40] It expanded on the song's water theme and depicts the band miming the lyrics in a water tank at Pinewood Studios. [41] McDonagh starred in the video, standing in as an extra guitarist. [42]

Laid was released in the UK on 27 September 1993 through Fontana Records. [19] The album's cover artwork depicts the band members wearing dresses and eating bananas in front of the Marseille Cathedral in Marseille, France. [32] [33] James were on a three-day photograph session when Booth suggested they put on dresses for a few pictures. [32] [43] They snacked on bananas as they awaited their manager's return with food. [43] Despite having already-completed cover art, they decided to use the images from Marseille once they saw them. [32] Glennie joked the audience "could read into it as a subtext about prostituting ourselves by selling what we do". [33]

Booth and Eno wanted the outtake "The Lake" on Laid but were outvoted by the rest of the band. [29] The song, as well as "America", was included on the Japanese edition of the album. [44] "Laid" was released as a single with "Wah Wah Kits", "The Lake", and "Seconds Away" on 1 November 1993. The following week, a second version of the single, including live versions of "Laid", "Five-O", "Say Something", and "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)," was released. [45] Zanna directed the music video for "Laid", in which Booth is handcuffed in a laundromat as the other band members enter and leave. [40] [46] In December 1993, the band went on their first tour of the UK in two years. [38] In January 1994, the band supported Duran Duran on a tour of the US, before embarking on their own headlining tour in February and March 1994. [47]

"Sometimes (Lester Piggott)", "Say Something", and "Laid" were included on the band's first and fourth compilation albums, The Best Of (1998) and Fresh as a Daisy – The Singles (2007). [48] [49] "Out to Get You", "Five-O", and "Laid" were included on the band's third compilation album The Collection (2004). [50] The music videos for "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)", "Say Something" (two versions), and "Laid" were included on the career-spanning box set The Gathering Sound (2012). [51] Laid was reissued on CD in 2001, with the addition of live versions of "Laid", "Sometimes", and "Five-O", and a remix of "Say Something". [52] Laid was re-pressed on vinyl in 1999, 2015, and 2020. [52] [53] [54] It was released in 2015 in a deluxe box set (with Wah Wah) alongside numerous alternative takes, demos, and radio sessions. [55] The same year, Laid was reissued on its own with a disc of highlights from the box set. [56]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [57]
The Audiophile VoiceB− [58]
Calgary Herald C+ [59]
Entertainment Weekly A− [60]
The Essential Rock Discography 7/10 [61]
NME 6/10 [62]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [63]
The San Diego Union-Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [64]
Select 4/5 [65]

Laid was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. AllMusic reviewer Ned Raggett wrote that the album's quieter sound "turned out not merely to be a nice way to undercut expectations, but a creative benchmark for the group, arguably its artistic peak". [57] Q writer Paul Davies called it as "striking, provocative and sharply melodic as its predecessor", aided by Eno's "lean, stripped down sound". [63] Select 's Andrew Harrison said the album's "real joy" is its "supernatural musical landscape," adding the band that were "hated when they knocked their corners off for the arenas is nowhere to be heard". [65] Ian Gittins of Melody Maker said the album features "reflective, introspective musings with a heartening assurance, and mixes yearning and intelligence with a naked honesty which at times is genuinely stunning." He considered it a "remarkable rebirth" and said the band had "regained all the artistic ground they lost" with their previous album while managing to make "their strongest work" since their third studio album, Gold Mother (1990). [66]

Entertainment Weekly writer Josef Woodard said the "[q]uirky numbers blend with dream interludes and droll carnality in this juicy alternative to the Alternative Parade." [60] BBC Music reviewer Ian Wade wrote the album is full of "solid songwriting, showcasing James at their finest, relaxing into their own skins." [67] The Washington Post 's Mark Jenkins liked Eno's attempt to "recapture some of the delicacy of the band's initial work", offering up an album that is "not quite so bombastic as its immediate predecessors." [68] The San Diego Union-Tribune contributor James Herbert noted while Booth's "acerbic observations and wounded-troubadour vocals wend through all 13 tracks", they are mainly "set to more brooding tunes that burble with atmosphere", and that Eno "indulge[d] in too much atmospheric dabbling." [64] Johnny Dee of NME disliked Eno's production for "strip[ping] the songs of personality, and zip, inadvertently creating un-songs", and said these "sleep-inducing meanderings lull the listener into such a smoky kind of boredom." [62] The Audiophile Voice's Mark Block expressed a similar sentiment: "I find the 'atmos' a little too smoky for my taste, but did it get in the way? No, but just barely". [58] Calgary Herald writer Don McSwiney, meanwhile, praised Eno's work, as it made the band come across a "lot slicker, its rougher edges smoothed out and replaced with BIG production values likely with an eye to capitalizing on the modest success of its last effort". [59]

Laid charted at number three in the UK, [69] number 72 in the US, [70] and number 86 in Australia. [71] It was certified gold in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry and in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America. [72] [73] By 2001, Laid had sold 539,000 copies in the US. [74] "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" charted at number 18 in the UK [3] and number 119 in Australia. [75] "Laid" charted at number 25 in the UK [3] and number 40 in Australia. [76] In the US, "Laid" peaked at number three on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, [77] at number 57 on the Radio Songs chart, [78] and number 61 on the Hot 100. [79] "Laid" was certified platinum by the BPI in 2021, [80] and was included on lists of the decade's best songs compiled by PopMatters and uDiscoverMusic . [81] [82] Clash included "Out to Get You" and "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" on their list of the top 10 best James songs. [83]

Accolades

Accolades for Laid
PublicationListRankRef.
Les Inrockuptibles Albums of the Year28
NME 20 Years On: Albums Of The Year 199328
Select Albums of the Year26

Track listing

All songs written by Tim Booth, Larry Gott, and Jim Glennie. [87] All recordings produced by Brian Eno. [16]

  1. "Out to Get You" – 4:26
  2. "Sometimes (Lester Piggott)" – 5:10
  3. "Dream Thrum" – 4:47
  4. "One of the Three" – 4:08
  5. "Say Something" – 3:26
  6. "Five-O" – 5:25
  7. "P.S." – 5:04
  8. "Everybody Knows" – 3:28
  9. "Knuckle Too Far" – 4:39
  10. "Low Low Low" – 2:51
  11. "Laid" – 2:36
  12. "Lullaby" – 3:49
  13. "Skindiving" – 5:41

Personnel

Personnel per booklet. [16]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for Laid
Chart (1993–1994)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [71] 86
UK Albums (OCC) [69] 3
US Billboard 200 [70] 72

Certifications

Certifications for Laid
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [72] Gold100,000*
United States (RIAA) [73] Gold500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James (band)</span> English rock band

James are an English rock band from Manchester, formed in 1982. They achieved popularity during the 1990s, with four top-10 hits on the UK Singles Chart and nine top-10 placings on the UK Albums Chart. The band's best-known singles include "Come Home", "Sit Down", "She's a Star" and "Laid". "Laid" also became a hit on American college radio. Following the departure of lead singer Tim Booth in 2001, the band became inactive, but members reunited in January 2007 and have since released a further seven albums. Live performance has continually remained a central part of the band's output. As of 2010, the band had sold more than 25 million albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Booth</span> British actor and singer

Timothy Booth is an English singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. He is the lead singer and co-founder of the indie rock band James, and co-wrote several of their hit singles including "Sit Down", "Come Home", and "Laid". As an actor, Booth is also known for portraying Victor Zsasz in the 2005 film Batman Begins.

<i>Stutter</i> (album) 1986 studio album by James

Stutter is the debut studio album by English rock band James. Blanco y Negro and Sire Records released it on 28 July 1986. After going through multiple vocalists and guitarists, the band caught the attention of Factory Records. James released two EPs with the label; between them Larry Gott replaced guitarist Paul Gilbertson. The band supported the Smiths twice, before eventually signing with Sire. Between January and March 1986, the band recorded Stutter with Patti Smith live guitarist Lenny Kaye and engineer Gil Norton. Described as a folk rock album, the songs on Stutter tackle the topics of insects, reincarnation and being a tortured artist.

<i>Strip-mine</i> (album) 1988 studio album by James

Strip-mine is the second studio album by English rock band James. It was released on 26 September 1988, through Sire and Blanco y Negro Records. After minimal touring and lack of success for their debut studio album Stutter (1986), the label was apprehensive about letting them record another album. Sessions for it were held in early 1987 at Rockfield Studios with Hugh Jones producing the majority of the album, except for "Are You Ready", which produced by Steve Power and Steve Lovell. After the recording, the release was delayed a number of times, until it was eventually remixed early the following year at London's Battery Studios. Described as a folk-pop album, the songs on Strip-mine tackled the topics of misinformation, addiction, and human mortality.

<i>Gold Mother</i> Album by James

Gold Mother is the third studio album by English rock band James. It was released on 4 June 1990 on Fontana Records. With the addition of drummer David Baynton-Power, violinist/guitarist Saul Davies, and keyboardist Mark Hunter, James released the single "Sit Down" in June 1989, before going to record their next album. Sessions were held at Out of the Blue in Manchester, The Windings in Wrexham, Wales, with three band members and Nick Garside producing. Described as an arena rock and indie rock album, Gold Mother was compared to the likes of U2 and the Waterboys.

<i>Seven</i> (James album) 1992 studio album by James

Seven is the fourth studio album by English rock band James. It was released on 17 February 1992, through Fontana Records. After writing new material in their practice space, the band began recording at The Manor Studios. The sessions lasted for several months, with the band producing the proceedings themselves. After a lack of progress, Fontana halted the sessions, and sent them to work at Olympic Studios with Martin "Youth" Glover. Half of the songs were produced by Youth, while the remainder was produced between James and Steve Chase. Described as a stadium rock album, Seven drew comparison to the likes of Simple Minds and U2.

<i>Pleased to Meet You</i> (James album) 2001 studio album by James

Pleased to Meet You is the ninth studio album by English rock band James. Less than a year after the release of Millionaires (1999), the band were playing new material live. Recording was split between Ridge Farm, Whitfield St., House in the Woods studios; producer credit was split between Brian Eno, guitarist/violinist Saul Davies, KK and the band. "Getting Away with It " was released as a single in late June, followed a week later by Pleased to Meet You on 2 July through Mercury Records.

<i>Wah Wah</i> (album) 1994 studio album by James

Wah Wah is the sixth studio album by the Manchester-based English indie rock band James. After the success of their fourth album, Seven (1992), the band entered Real World Studios, Box, Wiltshire, to record their fifth album Laid in early 1993 with producer Brian Eno, with whom the group had longed to work. Prior to recording Laid, Eno observed the band's jam sessions at their Manchester rehearsal room, and considered these improvised pieces to be as important to the band's music as their eventually crafted songs. He requested to the group that whilst they were recording Laid, they would also concurrently record an album of their improvisations which Eno and, by Eno's request, second producer Markus Dravs would produce in a secondary studio in the Real World complex. Each composition started off with the band's improvisation being recorded, which Dravs would then edit, generally alone whilst James and Eno were recording Laid. Eno and Dravs would take a "promising" part of a recording and then mixed them only once. Tim Booth's desire to re-record some of his vocals caused friction in the studio.

<i>Whiplash</i> (album) 1997 studio album by James

Whiplash is the seventh studio album by English rock band James. It was released on 24 February 1997, through Fontana Records. Following the release of the band's experimental sixth studio album Wah Wah (1994), they began working on a follow-up in 1995 at drummer David Baynton-Power's home studio. Over the course of 1995 and 1996, James recorded at several studios – Westside, The Windings, Cafe Mullet, Real World, RAK, and Foel – with producers Stephen Hague, Brian Eno, and Baynton-Power. Described as electronic and folk rock release, the album mixed in elements of the band's previous two studio albums.

<i>Millionaires</i> (album) 1999 studio album by James

Millionaires is the eighth studio album by British alternative rock band James. During the Whiplash release cycle, guitarist Adrian Oxaal replaced founding member Larry Gott, and guitarist Michael Kulas joined the band. Touring to promote the release was cut-short when Booth injured his neck. With the release of The Best Of in early 1998, the band began recording their next album in May 1998. The sessions continued into February 1999 at a variety of studios: Ridge Farm, Hook End, Townhouse and Metropolis. While Brian Eno produced most of the record, the producer credit was also given to guitarist/violinist Saul Davies, keyboardist Mark Hunter, Steve Osborne, drummer David Baynton-Power and Faithless. Millionaires is an indie rock and pop release that drew comparison to Lou Reed and New Radicals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laid (song)</span> 1993 single by James

"Laid" is the title track from Manchester alternative rock band James's fifth studio album, Laid (1993). Released on 1 November 1993, the song was a commercial success, charting in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, and has received attention as a theme song for the American Pie film series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Gott</span> British musician (born 1957)

James Lawrence "Larry" Gott is an English musician, formerly of the band James, originating from Manchester. He is also a designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Born of Frustration</span> 1992 single by James

"Born of Frustration" is a song written by Jim Glennie, Larry Gott, and Tim Booth and released as a single by English Madchester band James. It is the follow-up to 1991 hits "Sit Down" and "Sound", which both peaked within the UK top 10.

<i>Hey Ma</i> (album) 2008 studio album by James

Hey Ma is the tenth studio album by British rock band James. After reuniting in 2007, James went on tour until September that year, when they began recording their next recording. Taking up residence in Château de Warsy in France, the band worked on 120 pieces of music. While extra recording was done in England, sessions concluded by December. Hey Ma was a return-to-form for the band as they continued their signature sound of loud guitars and big choruses, with occasional trumpet appearances. Before the album was released, the cover was banned due to its depiction of a baby with a gun close by.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sound (song)</span> 1991 single by James

"Sound" is a song written by Jim Glennie, Larry Gott, and Tim Booth, recorded by Manchester band James for their fourth studio album, Seven (1992). Clocking in at over six and a half minutes on the album, the song was shortened considerably for the single version. The CD release featured both the album and the single version, along with a dub remix of "Come Home" and an original song called "All My Sons".

<i>The Morning After</i> (James album) 2010 studio album by James

The Morning After is the 12th studio album by British rock band James, serving as the second of two mini-albums. As their first mini-album The Night Before was being released in April 2010, the band began working on its follow-up. Spending less than a week in the studio, the band self-produced the sessions, with Lee Muddy Baker handling vocal production. The Morning After featured slower and softer songs, in contrast to the happy, upbeat ones heard on The Night Before. Preceded by festival appearances in the UK, Greece and Portugal, The Morning After was released on 6 September. The album reached number 19 in the UK, and received a mainly favourable response from music critics, with some of them stating it was the better release out of the two mini-albums. The band promoted it with tours in North America, Portugal and the UK.

<i>La Petite Mort</i> (James album) 2014 studio album by James

La Petite Mort is the 13th studio album by British rock band James. Throughout 2012 and 2013, the band worked on a follow-up to the 2010 mini-albums The Night Before and The Morning After. After contacting producer Max Dingel, they began recording at RAK Studios in London. Preceding the album, "Moving On" was released as a single in April 2014, with La Petite Mort appearing in June through BMG and Cooking Vinyl. Coinciding with this, the band played various festivals across Europe, though some were cancelled due to Booth losing his voice. "All I'm Saying" was released as a single in November, as the band was on a UK tour.

<i>Girl at the End of the World</i> Album by James

Girl at the End of the World is the 14th studio album by British rock band James. It was released on 11 March 2016, through BMG. The band spent three weeks in the Scottish Highlands working on new material for their album. Re-enlisting producer Max Dingel, who produced their previous studio album, La Petite Mort (2014), James spent five months between May and September 2015 recording in separate blocks. Long-time collaborator Brian Eno, and former member Adrian Oxaal, contributed instrumentation to the sessions. The album reprised its predecessor's electronic-centred songs and dance rhythm sections.

<i>Living in Extraordinary Times</i> Album by James

Living in Extraordinary Times is the 15th studio album by British rock band James. It was released on 3 August 2018, through Infectious Music. A few months after the release of the band's 14th studio album, Girl at the End of the World in 2016, work began on a new album. Writing and three weeks of jam sessions followed, with engineer Beni Giles appearing partway through the sessions. Recording took place at Livingston and Iguana studios, both of which are in London, and lasted for four weeks, with Giles and Charlie Andrew handling co-production. Described as an indie rock record with elements of electronica, the album drew comparisons with the music of U2, the Killers, and the Courteeners. The music incorporates grooves, which were aided by bassist Jim Glennie, drummer David Baynton-Power, Andrew, and Giles.

<i>All the Colours of You</i> 2021 studio album by James

All the Colours of You is the 16th studio album of English rock band James that was released on 4 June 2021 through Virgin Music Label & Artist Services. James began writing the album before the release of their 15th studio album Living in Extraordinary Times (2018); they accumulated 100 Jam sessions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, the band members were stuck in different countries. Vocalist Tim Booth began working with producer Jacknife Lee at his studio in Topanga Canyon, California, where Booth acted as a liaison between the band and Lee. The album has been described as a stadium rock and electronic; its songs were influenced by the pandemic, the lockdowns, and the murder of George Floyd.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "James: Feels Like 'Seven'". NME . February 1992.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Laid Press Release Biography" (Press release). United Kingdom: Fontana Records. September 1993.
  3. 1 2 3 "James | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  4. ↑ "James Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard . Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "Seven Press Release and Biography" (Press release). United Kingdom: Fontana Records. February 1992.
  6. 1 2 3 Maconie, Stuart (August 1993). "What's Eating You?". Select .
  7. ↑ "Neil Young Support Slot" (Press release). United States: Mercury Records. August 1992.
  8. 1 2 3 Sheehan, Tom (14 August 1993). "Laid in Italy". Melody Maker .
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Leonard, Michael (October 1993). "The James Gang". Guitarist .
  10. 1 2 "James Recorded Enough for Three Albums with Brian Eno". Daily Insider. October 1993.
  11. ↑ "Home James". Chicago Sun-Times . May 1994.
  12. ↑ Maconie 2000, p. 196
  13. 1 2 3 4 James (2001). Laid (booklet). Mercury Records. 514943-2.
  14. 1 2 Perry, Kevin EG (28 January 2013). "James' Tim Booth On Sex, Death And Growing Up". NME. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  15. ↑ Maconie 2000, p. 198
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 James (1993). Laid (booklet). Fontana Records. 514943-2.
  17. 1 2 Maconie 2000, p. 199
  18. 1 2 3 "The Joy of James". Musician . June 1994.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "James: Laid on the Line". Melody Maker. September 1993.
  20. ↑ Citations for the album's sound:
  21. ↑ Maconie 2000, p. 206
  22. ↑ Maconie 2000, p. 206–7
  23. 1 2 3 Maconie 2000, p. 207
  24. ↑ Largent, Lewis (January 1994). "James". 120 Minutes (Interview). United States.
  25. ↑ Booth, Tim (6 September 2018). "Tim Booth on Twitter: 'Even though most of us get the "idea" that the culture we are born...'". Twitter. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  26. ↑ Zaleski, Annie (24 March 2015). "On Laid, Brian Eno helped James find its footing". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  27. 1 2 3 Murray, Robin (10 April 2010). "Dusting 'Em Off: James Laid". Consequence of Sound . Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  28. ↑ Booth, Tim (9 October 2017). "Tim Booth on Twitter: 'Wrote this about someone I'd just had a row...'". Twitter. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  29. 1 2 Harris, David (24 April 2012). "Interview: Tim Booth of James". Spectrum Culture. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  30. 1 2 Savidge 2015, p. 27
  31. ↑ Whiley, Jo (September 1993). "James" (Interview). London, UK: BBC Radio 1.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Ridgers, Derek (4 December 1993). "Hey Nonny Eno!". NME.
  33. 1 2 3 "James Wins Applause in the States". The Providence Journal . February 1994.
  34. ↑ "Happy Accident Makes It All Happen". Los Angeles Times . March 1994.
  35. ↑ Savidge 2015, p. 27–8
  36. ↑ Maconie 2000, p. 209
  37. ↑ "James: Still Folking Around". NME. 1 August 1993.
  38. 1 2 3 "Sometimes – Press Release" (Press release). United Kingdom: Fontana Records. September 1993.
  39. ↑ "News". NME. 1 June 1993.
  40. 1 2 James (2007). Fresh as a Daisy – The Videos (booklet). Fontana Records. JIMDVD1/984 836-2 (6).
  41. ↑ Maconie 2000, p. 204
  42. ↑ Maconie 2000, p. 205
  43. 1 2 Harris, David (9 November 2010). "Interview: Jim Glennie and Larry Gott of James". Spectrum Culture. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  44. ↑ James (1993). Laid (sleeve). Fontana Records. PHCR-68.
  45. ↑ Savidge 2015, p. 15
  46. ↑ "British Band James Returns". The Seattle Times . March 1994.
  47. ↑ "James Announce North American Tour Dates" (Press release). United States: Mercury Records. 17 January 1994.
  48. ↑ James (1998). The Best Of (booklet). Fontana Records. 536 898-2.
  49. ↑ James (2007). Fresh as a Daisy – The Singles (booklet). Mercury Records. 1731846.
  50. ↑ James (2004). The Collection (booklet). Spectrum Music. 9824088.
  51. ↑ James (2012). The Gathering Sound (booklet). Universal/Mercury Records. 2753129.
  52. 1 2 "Music: Studio Albums". James. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  53. ↑ James (1999). Laid (sleeve). Simply Vinyl. SVLP 158.
  54. ↑ James (2020). Laid (sleeve). Fontana Records. 0602547096401.
  55. ↑ James (2015). Laid & Wah Wah (sleeve). Fontana/Mercury Records/Universal UMC. 0602547087126.
  56. ↑ James (2015). Laid (sleeve). Fontana/Mercury Records/Universal UMC. 0602547095947.
  57. 1 2 Raggett, Ned. "Laid - James | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  58. 1 2 Block, Mark. "Rock Block". The Audiophile Voice. 2 (1): 74–5. ISSN   1522-0435.
  59. 1 2 McSwiney 1993, p. 22
  60. 1 2 Woodard, Josef (15 October 1993). "The Week: Pop/Rock". Entertainment Weekly . p. 76.
  61. ↑ "James". The Essential Rock Discography - Volume 1: 550. 2006.
  62. 1 2 Dee, Johnny (September 1993). "James: Laid". NME.
  63. 1 2 Davies, Paul (November 1993). "James: Laid". Q (86): 122.
  64. 1 2 Herbert, James (September 1993). "Despite Booth, James Soulfully Blends Folk and Rock". The San Diego Union-Tribune .
  65. 1 2 Harrison, Andrew (September 1993). "New albums". Select.
  66. ↑ Gittins, Ian (September 1993). "Laid in the UK". Melody Maker .
  67. ↑ Wade, Ian (2011). "Review of James - Laid". BBC Music. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  68. ↑ Jenkins, Mark (7 January 1994). "Sweet Baby James in Adolescent Phase". The Washington Post .
  69. 1 2 "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  70. 1 2 "James Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  71. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  72. 1 2 "British album certifications – James – Laid". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  73. 1 2 "American album certifications – James – Laid". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  74. ↑ "Vocalist Tim Booth To Exit James". Billboard. 29 October 2001. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  75. ↑ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 12 July 2016". Imgur.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  76. ↑ "australian-charts.com > James in Australian Charts". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  77. ↑ "James Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  78. ↑ "James Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  79. ↑ "James Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  80. ↑ "James Laid". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  81. ↑ "The 100 Greatest Alternative Singles of the '90s: 80 - 61 | Page 4". PopMatters . 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  82. ↑ "100 Of The Best 90s Alternative Songs: When The Underground Went Mainstream". uDiscoverMusic. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  83. ↑ Bowes, Richard (18 January 2024). "Secrets I Can't Keep: James – Their 10 Best Songs". Clash . Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  84. ↑ "Les Inrockuptibles Lists..." Rocklistmusic. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  85. ↑ "20 Years On: Albums Of The Year 1993". NME. 11 March 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  86. ↑ "Select Lists..." Rocklistmusic. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  87. ↑ Savidge 2015, p. 56

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.