Easy Eye Sound [Release date 10.01.2025]
‘Medium Raw’ is the third album from Early James and one, as the album title suggests, recorded with a sound that thrives on a lived-in, real-world ambiance. Dan Auerbach (the Black Keys) once again produced the album and it was recorded in a rundown house, with each musician often in a separate room.
Dan stated that – “I wanted to try to find that power of when I first saw him, when it was just him and his guitar…the comforts and luxuries of the studio, where you’re able to hear everything and make adjustments and changes, wasn’t right for this project.”
Joining Early James on the album are long-time bassist Adrian Marmolejo, drummer Jeff Clemens and percussionist Sam Bacco.
The album also includes songs co-written with Auerbach and top Nashville songwriter Pat McLaughlin (‘I Got This Problem’); Sheryl Crow’s frequent collaborator Jeff Trott (‘Nothing Surprises Me Anymore’) and roots singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim (‘Go Down Swinging’).
Early James and Dan Auerbach really have succeeded in capturing a basic, bare bones sound and songs like ‘Tinfoil Hat’ sound, quite frankly, amazing. The guitar and drums in particular really stand out.
‘Gravy Train’ sounds like a long lost 1950′s blues recording, whilst ‘I Got This Problem’ has a cheeky little rock n roll swing about it.
Early James has a unique vocal style, not instant on the listener’s ears by any stretch of the imagination, but one that the listener enjoys on each repeated listen.
Not the easiest listen perhaps, however, worth repeated listens and an album that really lends itself to an immersive headphones listen. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
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Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025
THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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