In a fairly brief period of time, James and The Cold Gun have gone from being known as South Wales’ loudest group, to one of the most talked about bands in the United Kingdom. Following a series of support stints on extensive tours, including opening for the almighty Pearl Jam and Guns n’ Roses at Hyde Park, the band have just released their highly anticipated debut self-titled album via Seattle-based label Loosegroove Records, owned by Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) & Regan Hagar (Malfunkshun, Brad, Satchel). Given their colossal ascendancy, their debut album was always going to bare immense pressure to meet the potential they have shown, but James Joseph and his bandmates have taken any uncertainty to one side and driven a Dodge Charger straight through it.
Opening the record with the surging chords of “Chewing Glass”, the band take little time to give a strong sense of what they’re about. Joseph’s passionate vocals marry with the pounding rhythm provided by Smith and Wrench, and the chaotic riffs of Biss and Jones. Recent single “Something to Say” certainly harks back to the classic, infectious anthems of The Hives, but still embeds the modern garage rock elements of the likes of Dinosaur Pile-Up, whilst teasing a tinge of Nirvana-esque grunge. In the early exchanges of the record, its authentic quality is evident, sounding like a perfected live performance whilst still capturing the stampeding energy of their live shows.
Just as the frenetic energy of “All The Wrong Places” reaches a bruising crescendo, the welcome relief of “Bittersweet” offers a vital dynamic shift. As the eerie guitar tones wash over patient drum patterns, they make way for a triumphant chorus and blend naturally into the injection of pace of ‘Headlights’ and the sneering riffs of “My Silhouette”.
Surprisingly, one of the choice cuts of the album comes in the form of a stripped-back track: “Grey Through the Same Lens”, which offers a haunting angle of Joseph’s mind and an opportunity for the frontman to bare his soul. It baffles me to think that he was once posting anxiously online about whether he would have what it takes to sing lead vocals in a band. If he ever needed an answer, it surely lies in the emotion and raw quality of this song.
Just before the mind is able to drift away into the philosophical ponderings of this brief acoustic interlude, “Saccharine” is a beautifully ironic and bitter wake up call, as distortion and growling basslines wash over a familiar sense of grit and determination. The record closes in a similar vein to some of its previous efforts, with the jagged riffs of “Alone Again”, the euphoric “Cheating on the Sun” and epic closer “Three Years”.
In a way, this could be considered the perfect debut album. Genuinely galvanising, it delivers on so many levels in a truly authentic manner, but offers a thrilling preview of the heights that beckon them in the future. My advice is to bring gloves, because at the altitude James and The Cold Gun are heading towards, you’re going to need them!
James And The Cold Gun are
James Joseph – Guitar and vocals
James Biss – Lead guitar
Peter Smith – Bass guitar
Al Jones – Guitar
Jack Wrench – Drums
Track Listing
Chewing Glass
Something to Say
All the Wrong Places
Bittersweet
Headlights
My Silhouette
Grey Through the Same Lens
Saccharine
Alone Again
Cheating on the Sun
Three Years
Links
https://jamesandthecoldgun.com
https://www.facebook.com/andthecoldgun
Article by George Fullerton.
