{"id":22519,"date":"2014-10-20T09:31:13","date_gmt":"2014-10-20T17:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelefortreport.com\/blog\/?p=22519"},"modified":"2014-10-21T07:21:07","modified_gmt":"2014-10-21T15:21:07","slug":"at-long-last-jamie-t-returns-watch-performances-of-songs-from-fantastic-new-album-carry-on-the-grudge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelefortreport.com\/blog\/2014-10\/at-long-last-jamie-t-returns-watch-performances-of-songs-from-fantastic-new-album-carry-on-the-grudge\/","title":{"rendered":"At Long Last Jamie T. Returns–Watch Performances of Songs From Fantastic New Album “Carry On The Grudge”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"10592801_10153210785683452_3209887492889830360_n\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For the last four-plus years, we and the rest of his ardent fans sat by and waited for one of our all-time favorites<\/a>, Jamie T.<\/strong><\/a>, to work through his personal slings and demons<\/a>, and return to stage and studio.\u00a0 Finally, Jamie T(reays)\u00a0<\/strong> is back and has delivered one of the Best Albums of 2014<\/strong>, Carry On The Grudge <\/strong><\/em>(0n Epitaph Records <\/strong>in the US).<\/p>\n

Jamie T.<\/strong> (from Wimbledon–“T” as in tennis? We kid.) effectively disappeared in 2010 after delivering two of our favorite albums of the last decade, 2007’s Panic Prevention<\/strong><\/em> and 2009’s Kings & Queens<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 When those albums were released we were head over heels for the unique, shambolic-but-effective mix of punk, ska, rap, and dub to go with clever, motormouthed tales of misbehaving mates, drinks, drugs, and death, all replete with stirring character studies.\u00a0 It was a heady mix that helped us fill a massive void in the post-Clash, post-Strummer<\/strong> era (watch below as he channels Strummer<\/strong> through his left leg).\u00a0 We were astounded when Jamie T.<\/strong> never made much headway with American music fans, but then again we’re constantly amazed by the moments of blindness.<\/p>\n

Here’s to hoping that Carry On The Grudge<\/strong> <\/em>changes all that.\u00a0 The album carries a more mature vernacular filled with personal loss and lived-in-stories to go with a mostly-slowed and more-sung delivery (though to be fair, he exhibited the same before on favorite Emily’s Heart<\/strong><\/em><\/a>).\u00a0 Predictably, some of the most affecting tracks are the slower numbers such as the stirring Don’t You Find, They Told Me It Rained<\/strong><\/em> (with its ending homage to Madness<\/strong>, amongst others), Limits Lie, Love Is Only a Heartbeat Away, Murder of Crows<\/strong><\/em> and Turn On The Light<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 One thing that hasn’t changed is Jamie’s way with melodies, which here uniformly rival those of his mentor, Damon Albarn<\/strong> (the highest possible praise from these quarters).\u00a0 Thankfully, there are plenty of uptempo tracks to balance matters, including the rambunctious Zombie<\/strong><\/em>, the self-immolating Peter<\/strong><\/em>, the decidedly nostalgic (Clash<\/strong>-esque with Tom Tom Club<\/strong> overtones) Trouble<\/strong><\/em> and Rabbit Hole<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 Let’s face facts:\u00a0 there’s not a bad song on this album, and quite to the contrary.\u00a0 We can’t stop listening to the ravishing Carry On the Grudge<\/strong><\/em>.\u00a0 Go get it HERE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Coincidentally, Jamie T.<\/strong> recently appeared on Later with Jools Holland,<\/strong> and after viewing the performances we were all-in on Jamie T<\/strong>. and in quest of catching him live.\u00a0 Watch below as Jamie<\/strong> and his superb band (the drummer!) slay Peter<\/strong><\/em> and They Told Me it Rained<\/strong><\/em> (unfortunately, their riveting performance of Zombie<\/strong> <\/em>remains un-viewable in the US thanks to ongoing bizarre BBC policies–hey, it was ONLY a Tea Party ya teabaggers!).\u00a0 We had forgotten that in addition to all of the foregoing accolades, Jamie is a virulent calist to boot.\u00a0 After the Jools performances, watch a few more vignettes of this fine artist (including Zombie<\/strong><\/em> and Don’t You Find–<\/strong><\/em>and at bottom watch the song sung by 6,000 fans at the Reading Festival<\/strong>).\u00a0 Most of his European tour is sold out or getting there, but he is coming to the US to play a whopping five (5!) shows and, bizarrely, tickets still remain.\u00a0 One such show is at the Roxy in LA <\/strong>on December 3rd<\/strong>.\u00a0 Whatever you do, don’t you miss it.\u00a0 Get your tickets for the tour (including Australia) HERE<\/strong><\/a> and HERE<\/strong><\/a> for the Roxy.\u00a0 If you don’t, you’ll carry on the grudge forever.<\/p>\n