It came out of nowhere, but the significance of a simple handwritten note posted from Jamie T‘s facebook page was huge. It meant the greatly missed Jamie Treays was back after four long years. Not long after the post, we got to hear ‘Don’t You Find’ and, finally, news of the UK musician’s third album Carry On The Grudge: and it may not be what you’re expecting.
Jamie T makes a statement from the outset, opening the record with two slower tracks somewhat reminiscent of ‘Emily’s Heart’ from 2009’s Kings & Queens. ‘Limits Lie’ and ‘Don’t You Find’ follow the singer’s formula of clever lyrics over simple, yet effective instrumentation. What appears different, however, is the emotional motivation behind the tracks. While on his previous releases Treays emoted his experiences as a young man on the streets of England, Carry On The Grudge appears to be more about a lost love. It’s just as raw, but coming from a different place.
Second single ‘Zombie’ is probably the lowlight of the album. An out and out pop song, it lacks the ferocity of previous releases and doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the tracks. This is quickly rectified, however, with ‘The Prophet’.
The heartbreak is evident in ‘Mary Lee’ and ‘Peter’ feels like an attempt at a rock anthem, and is a little out of place. Treays ends on a high note, though, rattling off ‘Love Is Only A Heartbeat Away’, ‘Murder Of Crows’ and ‘They Told Me It Rained’, each featuring songwriting attributes we know and love about the musician.
The most obvious thing about Carry On The Grudge is the overall tempo. We are so used to fast paced tracks with lyrics spat out at lightning speed, but this record is more thoughtful. There is no doubt this record will take some time for many to love, and it’s a little hit and miss with its tracks, but it is most certainly Jamie T’s attempt to evolve as a songwriter. I have to admit, as a huge Jamie T fan, I was a little taken aback by Carry On The Grudge at first, but it’s interesting and makes one curious about the musician’s experiences in writing this one.
Review Score: 7.0 out of 10
Carry On The Grudge is released Friday, 26th September on Virgin EMI. Read our interview with Jamie T HERE.
