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Podcast Episode
Season
Eight
number
378
Type
Album Review
Post Date
4/10/2018

James

378 Laid by James

Laid

Label
Fontana Records
Release year
1993
Producer
Brian Eno

Is there more to James 1993 album Laid than a quirky and catchy radio single?

Author & Special Guests

By 1993, James were already established with a string of successful UK singles on their four previous album. But with the release of Laid, they managed to crack wide open United States college and mainstream radio playlists with the quirky and catchy title track. However, like so many albums released in the 90s, a hit single does not always represent the sound of the band overall. While James had their fair share of uptempo tunes, including the New Order-esque Say Something from the same album, with the help of our Patreon patron Patrick (of Three Bines Hopped Spirits) who picked the album, we discovered a moodier, more melancholy sound, driven by bass and atmospheric guitars. While some of that credit is probably due to legendary musician/producer Brian Eno, the band themselves unveil a unique combination of post-punk edge, folk storytelling, Madchester bounce and Brit-pop swagger. It all makes for a listen that bares repeated listens to discover the layers, which also reveal some deficiencies that grew over time.

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Dig ME Out - 90s Rock review

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Songs in this episode

  • Intro - Laid
  • 13:23 - Say Something
  • 16:51 - Out To Get You
  • 27:27 - Five-O
  • Outro - Sometimes

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Laid