Review: Jamie Lidell - Jim

Posted on 29 August 2008 | No Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Pop, Soul

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Is Jamie Lidell for real or is his latest album Jim some sort of joke that I just don’t understand? I’m leaning toward the serious side of things. Lidell’s neo-soul crooning sounds totally retro while using a wholly modern bag of production tricks. While I loved Lidell’s 2005 hit “Multiply,” this new album takes it to a whole new level. It’s just too bad that it is almost impossible for me to hear this album without injecting a healthy dose of irony into the mix. With every genre from psych-rock to folk (seemingly) headed back in time Jim sounds so refreshingly honest that it is hard to believe. There is a funkiness and a touch of jazz. There is a hint of the classic crooners, doo wop, and distinctly modern synthetic edge that never overtakes the overall retro enthusiasm that Jamie Lidell’s remains true to throughout. It sounds like birds chirping on a sunny morning or like a crisp cool gin & tonic on a Friday evening. And while Jim can’t really compare to the likes of Otis, Stevie, and Marvin, it is still way more fun than 70’s night at the ballpark.

MP3 | Jamie Lidell – Another Day Jim
MP3 | Jamie Lidell – Little Bit Of Feel Good Jim