James
Laid

How much did the James go through before achieving success?

The eighties come to an end and they're there, without money -despite having released two albums- and lacking a decent contract.

For a brief period, the crazy ones earn something by being test subjects for various drug experiments.

Then madchester arrives, and so does the wonderful bouncing manifesto Gold Mother.

At this point, Tim Booth and company seem to have finally broken through both in the music industry and in their beloved Manchester. Now it's time for the whole world.

After the beautiful Seven, the decision is made to continue expanding the sound. More characters are found, however, in agreement and comfortable in Laid.

Now they can even afford to have Brian Eno producing the album (and he will also produce the experiment Wah Wah with them, becoming in the process a real member of the band).

The guitars are always lively, just like that gentleman songwriter Tim.

Between Sometimes and Say Something the fragrance echoes not of songs anymore, but of true anthems.

Being struck by lightning, in an apocalyptic scenario that chills you: this, accompanied by the pathos of the chorus

Sometimes, when I look deep into your eyes, I swear I can see your soul

Say Something deals with the inability to communicate, the request to talk about it, to vent; a piece filled with a veiled desperation. The music video (the USA version) shows the band members attempting human contact on the streets with various people, but they remain without responses or attention. The frontman repeats the chorus to a mirror as he is overcome by the rawest melancholy.

To make James famous worldwide comes the single that gives the album its name; carefree on the surface but bittersweet upon a closer listen. Alluring references to addiction -perhaps understood as a broader concept-.

The highlight of the album, and of James in general, I believe is really the songwriting. Among the tracks of Laid, one is left enthralled by the description of the feelings addressed.

Give me a sign