REVIEW: James, The Best Of (Mercury)
- Rey Roldan
Few bands have survived the UK's Madchester Movement better than James. But then again, like fellow Mancunians The Smiths and New Order, James weren't shaggy for the sake of cashing in on a scene (i.e. Soup Dragons, Northside, EMF - none of whom were actually from Manchester). Though they employed trademark Madchester rhythms and pyrotechnics, this consistently fascinating band has managed to change not with the times, but with their fancies, which sometimes weren't always successful (witness 1994's tedious Wah Wah or Gold Mother's "Walking the Ghost"). That's why this Best of is a welcome addition (or introduction) to one of Manchester's most artful pop bands.
Filled with tracks from their PolyGram years (the band was originally signed to Factory and then to Sire), The Best of compiles music starting with 1990's Gold Mother and concluding with two new compositions, the anthemic "Destiny Calling" and the semi-forgettable "Runaground" (the compilation, in fact, is arranged in a nonlinear fashion). The newer material - Whiplash's "Waltzing Along" and "She's a Star" - doesn't fare so well, especially when sized up next to such sparkling gems as Laid's "Sometimes" and "Say Something, Seven's "Born of Frustration" and "Sound", and their UK smash "Sit Down". But that doesn't diminish their art-popistry, since a not-quite-up-to-par song for James far surpasses what makes up current pop drivel. Even the anemic "She's a Star" is better constructed pop song than most everything found in Billboard's Top 40. As can be said of most best-of collections, there are some notable omissions from James' career such as the Inspiral Carpets-collabration "Gold Mother", the acoustic version of "Protect Me" (from the limited edition EP Set List ) and "Ya Ho" (from the Sire album Strip Mine ). But as a whole, this stands as a well-chosen collection that showcases their songwriting prowess. While their moniker may suggest something quite generic, James stands uniquely on its own. Madchester should be proud.
