James Blake - S/T

LostBoyScout · 02-13-2011, 03:33 PM

James Blake - Self Titled Debut Full-Length. Released Feb 8th, 2011.

Previous releases: CMYK EP (2010), Klavierwerke EP (2010)

I don't think I've been this deeply connected with an album since Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago. Blake's impeccable timing, use of negative space, and layering is amazing. Perhaps the biggest anomaly of all is that his voice is absolutely stunning - I say this based on genre and the fact that throughout multiple EP releases, his voice wasn't really uncovered until now. The previously released single, Feist cover "Limit To Your Love" was a great window into the album's sound, which is unique among his EP releases. The arragements remind of me of Four Tet, but are bettered by the quality of Blake's voice.

I would include links and images, but I haven't reached 15 posts yet.

Recommended Songs: I Mind, Unluck, Why Don't You Call Me

Curious to what others think of the album? Also, I have limited experience in the electronic-but-not-dance genre... any other good suggestions? Other electro-type stuff I like is Caribou, Four Tet, Holy F...; not generally into heavier electronic stuff (not even dubstep..)

I would personally give the album 9.5/10 .. most songs are completely perfect to me, there is the odd one that doesn't completely do it for me, but still work extremely well.

s_k · 02-13-2011, 05:09 PM

I've only heard that single (limit to your love or something?) so far.
I just can't really make music out of it. There's just the lyrics and a piano.
And then there's a lot of bass.
I just can't... I don't get it.

debaserr · 02-14-2011, 12:24 PM

it doesn't do much for me either. gave it 2 complete listens and I'm binning it.

Violent & Funky · 02-15-2011, 03:17 AM

It's just slow and boring as hell...

LostBoyScout · 02-15-2011, 09:14 AM

Well of course it is if your username is violent and funky...

I expected to be in the smaller group on this one :-)

s_k · 02-15-2011, 01:51 PM

Nah, everyone seems to like it here.
And I mean here, where I live.
Not on MB, apparently

Roland · 02-16-2011, 10:29 AM

He is pretty over rated I think, I like the single but the rest is pretty much rubbish. The guy clearly is a good producer but his album is just not interesting in any way. He also seems to have given the media a new term "post-dubstep" which is a load of nonsense. Artists such as Burial and Clubroot for me are far more exciting and talented dub step artists their basslines are so deep and the atmospheres they can create are sensational.

Mr November · 02-16-2011, 03:22 PM

This album has the taste of Bon Iver's - Woods.

A lot of people who liked Bon Iver refused to listen to that song because it used auto tune effects. I'm not a fan of that sort of thing, but it's all about how you use the devices available to you. It's about wether you're being innovative and creating something new, or wether you're simply using a cookie cutter so you can call yourself talented. Once you realize this, you can begin to judge. And it's not all about whether you like something the first time you here it either.

paradoxo42 · 02-26-2011, 01:55 PM

Bon Iver? I do not think anything like that ... Perhaps the tone of voice, but this is too little to compare, are very different jobs.

Jakkc · 03-09-2011, 12:33 PM

Will Young mixed with Bon Iver gets run over by Benga.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradoxo42

Bon Iver? I do not think anything like that ... Perhaps the tone of voice, but this is too little to compare, are very different jobs.

Obviously not in a composition sense, but he uses pretty much the exact same vocoded vocals as Bon Iver.

02-13-2011, 03:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
LostBoyScout Groupie Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 39	James Blake - S/T James Blake - Self Titled Debut Full-Length. Released Feb 8th, 2011. Previous releases: CMYK EP (2010), Klavierwerke EP (2010) I don't think I've been this deeply connected with an album since Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago. Blake's impeccable timing, use of negative space, and layering is amazing. Perhaps the biggest anomaly of all is that his voice is absolutely stunning - I say this based on genre and the fact that throughout multiple EP releases, his voice wasn't really uncovered until now. The previously released single, Feist cover "Limit To Your Love" was a great window into the album's sound, which is unique among his EP releases. The arragements remind of me of Four Tet, but are bettered by the quality of Blake's voice. I would include links and images, but I haven't reached 15 posts yet. Recommended Songs: I Mind, Unluck, Why Don't You Call Me Curious to what others think of the album? Also, I have limited experience in the electronic-but-not-dance genre... any other good suggestions? Other electro-type stuff I like is Caribou, Four Tet, Holy F...; not generally into heavier electronic stuff (not even dubstep..) I would personally give the album 9.5/10 .. most songs are completely perfect to me, there is the odd one that doesn't completely do it for me, but still work extremely well. Last edited by LostBoyScout; 02-13-2011 at 09:01 PM.

02-13-2011, 05:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	I've only heard that single (limit to your love or something?) so far. I just can't really make music out of it. There's just the lyrics and a piano. And then there's a lot of bass. I just can't... I don't get it. __________________ Click here to see my collection

02-14-2011, 12:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,467	it doesn't do much for me either. gave it 2 complete listens and I'm binning it. __________________ Last.FM

02-15-2011, 03:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
Violent & Funky FUNky Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 2,482	It's just slow and boring as hell... __________________ http://www.last.fm/user/ohio0808 sometimes I don't thrill you sometimes I think I'll kill you just don't let me fuck up will you 'cause when I need a friend it's still you

02-15-2011, 01:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	Nah, everyone seems to like it here. And I mean here, where I live. Not on MB, apparently __________________ Click here to see my collection

02-15-2011, 09:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
LostBoyScout Groupie Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 39	Well of course it is if your username is violent and funky... I expected to be in the smaller group on this one :-)

02-16-2011, 10:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
Roland Groupie Join Date: May 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 38	He is pretty over rated I think, I like the single but the rest is pretty much rubbish. The guy clearly is a good producer but his album is just not interesting in any way. He also seems to have given the media a new term "post-dubstep" which is a load of nonsense. Artists such as Burial and Clubroot for me are far more exciting and talented dub step artists their basslines are so deep and the atmospheres they can create are sensational. __________________ " I hear thunder, but there's no rain"

02-16-2011, 03:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mr November Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 429	This album has the taste of Bon Iver's - Woods. A lot of people who liked Bon Iver refused to listen to that song because it used auto tune effects. I'm not a fan of that sort of thing, but it's all about how you use the devices available to you. It's about wether you're being innovative and creating something new, or wether you're simply using a cookie cutter so you can call yourself talented. Once you realize this, you can begin to judge. And it's not all about whether you like something the first time you here it either.

02-26-2011, 01:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
paradoxo42 Groupie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1	Bon Iver? I do not think anything like that ... Perhaps the tone of voice, but this is too little to compare, are very different jobs.