published: 26 /
5 /
2011
Label:
Stones Throw
Format: CD
Fantastic funk and soul-influenced psychedelia on third album from James Pants, the project of Ameircan musician James Singleton
Review
Pants, the name is James Pants. He's not crap, not in the slightest, any more than he was given his name at birth. This is his first full go at funk and soul-influenced psychedelia, and follows on from two previous albums. James Pants is James Singleton. The other musicians on this album include Darcy Caputo, Kathleen Singleton and Lucrecia D Dalt. D stands for delicious I think.
The 'Beta' overture sets the pace, being banging fun with the touch of a signature tune. There is space rock next on 'Every Night I Dream' which is just mellow enough to mislead the listener. The silken sound of much of the music provides a great contrast to the rolling beats. The guitars make a great noise as the vocals aim at angelic heights.
All the time, you know a drastic change is coming and a rumbling, almost tribal pattern develops on 'A Little Bit Closer', which in terms of TV-series combines the best from 'Star Trek' and 'Bonanza'. There are lots of snappy short tracks after this with weird turns aplenty. Too charming to sound spooky and too raw to take you to dreamland, James Pants has produced a mystery of an album. 'Incantation' is an absolutely gorgeous track; melodic, eerie yet to the point. 'Kathleen' has James crooning like a tomcat to his beloved Kathleen. The sharp sound of the slide guitar is most appropriate on this.
'Darlin' takes the album on to the next decade. Whereas we were stuck in the late 1960s until now, 'Darlin' jumps to the late 1970s with synthesizers and a drum machine supporting another catchy song. 'Alone' provides a fine balance to this with its swirling madness. 'Girls' is another organ based tune of simple yet grand proportions. 'Dreamboat' delivers as its title suggests and the 'Epilogue' rounds this off in bizarre fashion.
Track Listing:-
1
Beta
2
Every Night I Dream
3
Clouds Over The Pacific
4
A Little Bit Closer
5
Strange Girl
6
Screams Of Passion
7
Incantation
8
Kathleen
9
Body On Elevator
10
Darlin'
11
Alone
12
These Girls
13
Dreamboat
14
Epilogue