I’m not really sure what to make of Ceri James. He can quite obviously construct a pop song, and his sound isn’t identikit to everything out there are the moment, but at the same time I’m struggling to think of things to say about this release. ‘What Else Matters’ is essentially a pop song that wouldn’t have sounded out of place in an Echo and the Bunnymen direction production of Grease. It has a very cheesy melody, with an 80’s pop backdrop, but it is kind of catchy.
Vocally he’s a little reminiscent of a chirpier Nicky Wire, which is neither a complement nor a criticism. Second track on this release is ‘Deptford Broadway,’ which is a shiny sounding pop song, affable enough. Again the cheesiness of the chorus, harking back to a simpler time that doesn’t quite ring true any more, is a little off-putting, but with the dulcet tones on the verses there are some good moments. It limps off with an unnecessary instrumental which prolongs proceedings by a needless minute and kind of steals the good will at the end.
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So it’s all kind of alright – it’s not offensive, but it doesn’t make an impression either. Can’t say more neutral than that.
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