Album review: JAMIE’S GUNS – Jamie’s Guns

I picked this album up as Jamie’s Guns had shared it on NWOCR Facebook group, I had a half listen while I was working, to the initial track “Whiplash”, stopped what I was doing, immediately played the album in its entirety and sat back soaking up the gravelly blues rock sound.

It was that good, I played it again, straight off and I’ve been listening to it every day since. The album has depth and character that belies the fact it’s a debut, if you like a touch of Springsteen and The Gaslight Anthem, you are in for a treat. In fact, just try it!

I got in touch with Cameron to ask him about the band and the album, I was pretty much blown away by his response,

“This first album was recorded by myself and Greg Wilson at Texas Tech University’s Crossroads Studios. I have played piano my whole life and I taught myself drums, acoustic guitar and bass. I recorded each of these parts for the album and Greg played all of the electric guitar. The bass part is shared depending on who does lead vocals.”

Reminiscent of Prince when he started out, doing everything himself and overlaying the parts, this album delivers accomplished musicianship, clever lyrics that are poignant and relevant to the times. I can’t wait to see how this band develops.

We delve a little deeper and I establish that the role of lead vocals and bass has also being split between Cameron and Greg, with Cameron singing lead vocals on ‘Whiplash’, ‘Heartshot’, ‘She Don’t Want Me’ and the single ‘End of the Road’, with Greg singing lead vocals on the remaining tracks on the album, including ‘Cocaine Eye’s and the closing track ‘Pray for Rain’.

My favourite tracks? Well, it was the opening track, ‘Whiplash’ that initially grabbed my attention but I’d pick ‘She Don’t Want Me’, ‘Heartshot’ and ‘Cocaine Eyes’ to showcase the band as they are so different in style and delivery, to be honest if you aren’t foot tapping and singing along after a couple of listens, I’ll be amazed.

What a debut album – my optimism about the future of rock music increases every time I happen across a new band, that’s doing something a little different to the mainstream, that is interesting musically and is brave enough to launch their debut album in the midst of a global pandemic.

This is a class debut album, with real character and depth, I highly recommend you give it a try, you won’t be disappointed. Happily, despite setbacks to the release of their debut due to Covid-19, they are already in the process of recording their second album and aiming for release later this year. Keep me posted, I’ll be awaiting that release with anticipation! ****

Review by Karen Clayton

Link to the latest single End of the Road

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)