James Bone – At Evening, The Metropolis Burns

(Self Launched)

CD / DL / Streaming

Out there Now

South London singer-songwriter James Bone launched his debut At Evening, The Metropolis Burns again in April. It slipped handed the Louder Than Warfare radar on the time, however Iain Key makes up for misplaced time.

James Bone was a brand new identify to me when he was really helpful by Manchester primarily based artist Stephen Lynn. Figuring out Stephen has impeccable style and wouldn’t make any suggestion flippantly I used to be intrigued to search out out extra. Two issues grabbed me immediately; a quote from the artist, “I’ve obtained a guitar, a voice, a bunch of tunes i consider in and a 2007 Volkswagen Golf. I’ll go wherever on this planet folks need it,” (who doesn’t love a basic laborious working troubadour?) and the opening monitor on the album, Fuck ‘Em All.

Readers will know our appreciation of the work of Geordie born, Manchester residing Chris Bridgett; this opening monitor has the identical rawness and gritty defiance, albeit a southern model as the previous Chilly Water Swimmers frontman. Positively a very good begin.

James Bone appears to have from nowhere. “I performed in bands for years however all of them fell by the wayside as is usually the case,” he says, “then I wrote/directed a brief movie a couple of boxer which saved the creativity effervescent, however I knew I needed to get my ass in gear and make a report, then Covid occurred and it appeared just like the time was ripe!”

The album was recorded in 2022, Bone working with varied proficient musicians together with former Wildflowers front-woman, and present Raven, Siddy Bennett, and famend jazz drummer and bandleader Pharaoh Russell. The artist says he’s “impressed by the likes of Billy Bragg, Sleaford Mods and Motown” which is a superb combine, perhaps it’s just a little lazy however I’d throw Frank Turner and Beans On Toast in too. The rawness of Fuck ‘Em All grabs the eye nevertheless it’s in no means ‘typical’ for a lot of the album. Take the subsequent couple of tracks, No Man’s Land and Mad Canine Blues, the previous a duet with the aforementioned Bennett, that are extra acoustic alt-folk in fashion.

Abraham Charlson’s Tune is just a little out of step with the remainder of the album however I discovered it to be one of many highlights. Talking to Bone concerning the monitor he explains, “I watched a historical past documentary throughout Covid concerning the Luddite motion in the course of the Industrial Revolution. Abraham obtained caught up and arrested for throwing a brick at a window in a protest along with his dad and mom about employees pay and many others, he ended up being the youngest particular person in Britain to be hung simply 12yrs outdated; so I wrote the story / tune from his perspective. I really feel with out being hung for it, folks and employees are nonetheless getting screwed over right now identical to in the course of the Industrial Revolution.”

The albums focus then switches again to life within the twenty first Century with tales of mates, acquaintances and releationships. There Goes My Soul could be very Braggish, uncooked vocals backed by an electrical guitar whereas Made In Britain is extra delicate with a supply comparable in fashion to Jay McAllister. This monitor was lately launched as a single and is a critical story about males’s psychological well being, about friendship and love and loss. Launched in affiliation with @andysmanclubuk one of many main organisations in getting males opening up to one another as an alternative of bottling issues up. Halfway by strings subtly seem and underpin the picked guitar, however critically disappear for the highly effective penultimate verse.

One issues for certain, there are many concepts on this album and regardless of the totally different kinds all of it matches collectively completely. This variance is additional highlighted on the ultimate tracks,  Dwellers Lament with its piano and sax and likewise the penultimate This Metropolis’s Gonna Break Me, However First I’ll Let It Take Me with its Dylanesque harmonica. Each of which see Bennett’ return so as to add steadiness to Bones sometimes abrasive supply, as does the album nearer, The Ballad of Billy and Janey. Itself a soul-infused love tune with horns (a la Redskins?). An uplifting and optimistic option to end which can go away you wanting extra.

While it’s solely 9 tracks over 35 minutes it’s clear from At Evening, The Metropolis Burns, that James Bone is one hell of a storyteller and is somebody I’ll be searching for sooner or later.

James Bone may be discovered on Fb, Twitter and Instagram

 All phrases by Iain Key. See his creator profile right here or discover him on Twitter as @iainkey