The Man’s Machine
Jenny Can’t Rely On Me
Man Not A Monster
Believing In Things That Can’t Be Done
Purchase the digital download, 12″ or CD HERE.
My favorite Londoner (period) has just released his third EP in the same amount of months. ‘The Man’s Machine’ EP is his third cut off Jamie’s stellar sophomore abum, ‘Kings & Queens’, which is certainly one of my favorite albums of the year. Back in September when I reviewed K&Q for DiS, here’s what I had to say about ‘The Man’s Machine’: …is an incredibly deceptive song, commencing with a minute long into/sample; but once the beat comes in and the keyboard and guitar wash over you, you’re practically at Jamie’s mercy as he spits away. It’s a curveball start, but the chorus is as big as any he’s ever written. It’s one of the best on the album. I 100% stand by what I said. It’s an incredibly deceptive song but on the EP he’s taken away the sample that turned me off for a moment initally and let the building keyboard speak for itself and let his unbelievably keen sense of rhythm suck you in.
The three non-album tracks that he’s put to back his third single just (again) go to show you the range that Jamie’s got such a hold on. ‘Jenny Can Rely On Me’ reminds me so much of the Clash – maybe it’s the riff that reminds me of ‘Straight to Hell’ or the sparseness of it all, yet it’s so Jamie T with the ramshackle nature, the myriad samples and most importantly, thudding bass that holds the thousand peices together that shouldn’t fit together but just …. do. ‘Man Not A Monster’ is just another Merry Prankster song, with the ska keyboard and the somehow adroit shouts of ‘I’m a maaaan, not a monster’ in the background. It’s just the lads recording and having a damn good time and, coincidentally or accidentally (or not?), the song came out just another Jamie T gem. ‘Believing In The Things That Can’t Be Done’ is the ‘Emily’s Heart’ or the ‘Brand New Bass Guitar’ of this EP. It’s the last piece of the puzzle that any Jamie T release has: it’s got the rhythmic song down, it’s got the fuck-shit-up-and-have-fun song, and it’s got the hopeful, intelligent softer side song down. It’s a wonder that Jamie can write songs like ‘Sticks ‘N Stones’ and ‘BITTCBD’, but that’s what I love about his multi-faceted output.
He never fails to impress, but if you like Jamie T – you’ll love this EP. It’s what he does best – writes and records prolifically (even if he takes 2 year breaks in between) and just fucking has fun. If you don’t like Jamie T, I doubt this EP is going to sway you over to the good side (our camp!) because it’s not a big departure that’s going to convince people who don’t like his crazy, cockney, ridiculous fun music. Period. 8/10.
Tags: jamie t
