Barry James- Barry James EP

ARTIST: Barry James
ALBUM: Self-titled EP
LABEL: Self-released
REVIEWER: Matthew J.
DATE: 10-27-07

For such a brief EP, Affirming the Consequent guitarist Barry James manages to display a startling array of different styles. "Gut Hook," the first song, is a sort of bluesy alternative rock thing, with deliberately fuzzed out guitars backed by jazzy snares. Though it's not entirely successful, the contrast between James's smooth, soulful vocals and the low-fi production makes for an interesting mix. More successful is the stripped down production on "Quiet Little Town," with the arrangement reduced to voice, guitar, and drum, letting each instrument stand out without overwhelming its neighbors. "Morning Song" takes a different approach, with layers of wailing guitar that hint at shoegaze and dream-pop influences, while final song "The Hunger" confirms those influences with washes of ambient effects. Taken together, the four songs make for a bit of an unsteady listen. Does James want to be a moody balladeer like Leonard Cohen, or is he shooting for something more experimental, like Radiohead? It's hard to tell from this EP, but what's clear is that he's a talented enough songwriter and musician to succeed once he decides what direction he wants to take his solo sound in.

Visit Barry James online at www.barryjamesmusic.com.