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Paedantic Basterd · 04-15-2011, 07:17 PM

James Blake - James Blake (2011)

I wanted to love this album desperately. I'd heard such incredible things about it around Musicbanter, and from valued friends. I'd heard that this was album of the year. I'd heard people wistfully saying that they wished they had written this album themselves. It's hard not to get excited about something so favorably received, but I've found that it's a bandwagon I'm inclined to wave at as it passes by.

I have no doubt as to the obvious vocal talents of James Blake, I merely find the songwriting on his eponymous debut unworthy of the hype he has received for it. I was strongly reminded of an electronic version of Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago, and I am undecided as to whether or not there is a place for another such album with me.

I have nonetheless promised to give James Blake the benefit of the doubt, and allow his album a bit of time to settle into the current of my listening. It seems to be an album that provokes dubious initial responses, and I will be the first to admit that my judgment can be flawed.

Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact (2011)

Saint Dymphna is everything I know of Gang Gang Dance, and will serve as the primary basis of comparison here. This is partially for practical reasons, but mostly because I listen to no other artist quite like Gang Gang Dance, and outside comparisons will not suffice. Saint Dymphna mystified me upon first listen, and I scrambled to find Eye Contact as soon as it leaked.

Eye Contact is not far removed from Saint Dymphna. It perpetuates the sandstorm electronica and open, airy percussion, but with a bit less intensity and some more focus. It is a more consistent album, but it doesn't reach the heights of House Jam or Princes. I suspect that this consistency bodes well for it. Saint Dymphna is such a relentless experience that it's uncommon for me to commit to an entire listen of it, whereas Eye Contact is better balanced and handles better in higher doses.

I would call this one of the better releases of 2011 so far, and expect to see it resurface at the end of the year in my top 10.

04-15-2011, 07:17 PM	#31 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	James Blake - James Blake (2011) I wanted to love this album desperately. I'd heard such incredible things about it around Musicbanter, and from valued friends. I'd heard that this was album of the year. I'd heard people wistfully saying that they wished they had written this album themselves. It's hard not to get excited about something so favorably received, but I've found that it's a bandwagon I'm inclined to wave at as it passes by. I have no doubt as to the obvious vocal talents of James Blake, I merely find the songwriting on his eponymous debut unworthy of the hype he has received for it. I was strongly reminded of an electronic version of Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago, and I am undecided as to whether or not there is a place for another such album with me. I have nonetheless promised to give James Blake the benefit of the doubt, and allow his album a bit of time to settle into the current of my listening. It seems to be an album that provokes dubious initial responses, and I will be the first to admit that my judgment can be flawed. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact (2011) Saint Dymphna is everything I know of Gang Gang Dance, and will serve as the primary basis of comparison here. This is partially for practical reasons, but mostly because I listen to no other artist quite like Gang Gang Dance, and outside comparisons will not suffice. Saint Dymphna mystified me upon first listen, and I scrambled to find Eye Contact as soon as it leaked. Eye Contact is not far removed from Saint Dymphna. It perpetuates the sandstorm electronica and open, airy percussion, but with a bit less intensity and some more focus. It is a more consistent album, but it doesn't reach the heights of House Jam or Princes. I suspect that this consistency bodes well for it. Saint Dymphna is such a relentless experience that it's uncommon for me to commit to an entire listen of it, whereas Eye Contact is better balanced and handles better in higher doses. I would call this one of the better releases of 2011 so far, and expect to see it resurface at the end of the year in my top 10.