James Blake - Self-titled Album Review

Lithiumdog · 03-29-2011, 10:22 AM

It’s difficult not to have preconceptions about James Blake. He landed almost as if from an alien planet, under the scrutinizing gaze of audio-junkies who needed something new. Half turning his back on his dub-step roots to ‘single-handedly’ craft a new genre-post dub.

The first single from his self-titled album nestled cozily into the niche he had promised us, Limit To Your Love, was a stripped back, sub bass injected homage to Feist. More than just a beautiful rendition of an exquisitely written near-masterpiece, Blake’s version represented his shift in influences. Short of causing a civil war, a nation divided into: ‘traditional-Blake-fans,’ ‘new-Blake-fans’ and ‘disgruntled-Feist-fans.’ However, the sheer impact of the song was undeniable, unforeseeable and inexplicably and unyieldingly breathtaking.

The rest of the album however almost couldn’t disappoint in a more epically disastrous fashion, an album predominantly comprised of silence occasionally interrupted by an auto-tuned dribble of lyrical mediocrity. The album does have highlights and the production of CMYK is cause for applause in itself. Unfortunately, before long the track descends once again into what is essentially a thimble of talent trapped in an 8-bit soundcard.

The Bon Iver influence is evident, achingly evident. Had Justin Vernon opted to spend the winter months in, for example, PC world as oppose to an Alaskan log cabin we could have expected this album almost five years ago. Ultimately the lacking element from Blake’s performance is soul. Limit to your love was saturated in a warmth and tenderness that could have saved the remainder of the album from being the miserable collection of heartless and barren shells of self-worship he offers us.

Ultimately, James Blake isn’t a bad album. If it were we could perhaps have forgiven James and looked to the future in the hopes of a more satisfying sequel. No. This album is just disappointing. The hype machine that leeched onto Blake from the first utterance of that Feist cover would ultimately be the very thing that caused the rest of the album to fall short - perhaps our hopes were too high?

Irrespectively, there is no denying that, not only the best, but perhaps only decent track on the album is a cover. No doubt James is a beacon of bright ideas, but when it comes to songwriting, this ‘messiah of the sound of the future’ falls short. Too short.

By Luke De-Sciscio

GERD · 04-23-2011, 11:21 AM

That's a good review.

I myself haven't been able to grasp the hype surrounding James Blake. It's fairly good but just not worthy of all the hype he seems to get.

Howard the Duck · 12-16-2011, 06:09 AM

i just got it

thought it was alright, really

starrynight · 12-17-2011, 05:15 PM

The Lindisfarne tracks are ok to me but the rest is pretty much blah.

Legspin · 03-23-2012, 02:46 AM

I like The Wilhelm Scream and Why Don't You Call Me, but this album sounds like each song has a maximum of two ideas in it which are milked until there is no milk left at which point the song finishes.
The guy is talented and the music is original, but he is churning out so much music. I think he just needs to slow down and really work on a piece more thoroughly

duga · 03-23-2012, 07:26 AM

I respect his effort to change things and I hear a ton of potential in the album. At first, I thought the whole thing was total crap but it has since grown on me. The good songs are REALLY damn good if you ask me. The Wilhelm Scream is by far my favorite track on the album. I look forward to his next release.

**Goofle** · 03-23-2012, 08:24 AM

Yeah, it completely bored me to tears and I am not the type of guy who can be arsed giving something too many second chances. I am sure it would grow on me, but I don't really care.

SLC · 03-23-2012, 04:38 PM

I can listen to some of his songs and know where hes goin with it... but i cant listen to the whole album without getting bored

duga · 03-23-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC

I can listen to some of his songs and know where hes goin with it... but i cant listen to the whole album without getting bored

Pretty much how I feel about it. The Wilhelm Scream and Limit to Your Love I can listen to pretty much all the time, but I definitely space out at a lot points during the album.

pulpcult · 04-01-2012, 10:31 AM

Love the review, love the album. I put James Blake in the same sort of category as Mount Kimbie

03-29-2011, 10:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lithiumdog Groupie Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 9	James Blake - Self-titled Album Review It’s difficult not to have preconceptions about James Blake. He landed almost as if from an alien planet, under the scrutinizing gaze of audio-junkies who needed something new. Half turning his back on his dub-step roots to ‘single-handedly’ craft a new genre-post dub. The first single from his self-titled album nestled cozily into the niche he had promised us, Limit To Your Love, was a stripped back, sub bass injected homage to Feist. More than just a beautiful rendition of an exquisitely written near-masterpiece, Blake’s version represented his shift in influences. Short of causing a civil war, a nation divided into: ‘traditional-Blake-fans,’ ‘new-Blake-fans’ and ‘disgruntled-Feist-fans.’ However, the sheer impact of the song was undeniable, unforeseeable and inexplicably and unyieldingly breathtaking. The rest of the album however almost couldn’t disappoint in a more epically disastrous fashion, an album predominantly comprised of silence occasionally interrupted by an auto-tuned dribble of lyrical mediocrity. The album does have highlights and the production of CMYK is cause for applause in itself. Unfortunately, before long the track descends once again into what is essentially a thimble of talent trapped in an 8-bit soundcard. The Bon Iver influence is evident, achingly evident. Had Justin Vernon opted to spend the winter months in, for example, PC world as oppose to an Alaskan log cabin we could have expected this album almost five years ago. Ultimately the lacking element from Blake’s performance is soul. Limit to your love was saturated in a warmth and tenderness that could have saved the remainder of the album from being the miserable collection of heartless and barren shells of self-worship he offers us. Ultimately, James Blake isn’t a bad album. If it were we could perhaps have forgiven James and looked to the future in the hopes of a more satisfying sequel. No. This album is just disappointing. The hype machine that leeched onto Blake from the first utterance of that Feist cover would ultimately be the very thing that caused the rest of the album to fall short - perhaps our hopes were too high? Irrespectively, there is no denying that, not only the best, but perhaps only decent track on the album is a cover. No doubt James is a beacon of bright ideas, but when it comes to songwriting, this ‘messiah of the sound of the future’ falls short. Too short. By Luke De-Sciscio __________________

12-17-2011, 05:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
starrynight Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 937	The Lindisfarne tracks are ok to me but the rest is pretty much blah. __________________ non-cliquey member of every music forum I participate on

03-23-2012, 07:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	I respect his effort to change things and I hear a ton of potential in the album. At first, I thought the whole thing was total crap but it has since grown on me. The good songs are REALLY damn good if you ask me. The Wilhelm Scream is by far my favorite track on the album. I look forward to his next release. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

04-23-2011, 11:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
GERD Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North East England Posts: 72	That's a good review. I myself haven't been able to grasp the hype surrounding James Blake. It's fairly good but just not worthy of all the hype he seems to get.

03-23-2012, 02:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
Legspin Groupie Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 17	I like The Wilhelm Scream and Why Don't You Call Me, but this album sounds like each song has a maximum of two ideas in it which are milked until there is no milk left at which point the song finishes. The guy is talented and the music is original, but he is churning out so much music. I think he just needs to slow down and really work on a piece more thoroughly

03-23-2012, 04:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
SLC Groupie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 8	I can listen to some of his songs and know where hes goin with it... but i cant listen to the whole album without getting bored

04-01-2012, 10:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
pulpcult Groupie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 13	Love the review, love the album. I put James Blake in the same sort of category as Mount Kimbie