Pitch Perfect
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

leo james - I Only Pray When I am Desperate (tasters)

11/1/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Leo James

I Only Pray When I Am Desperate (Tasters)
self-released; 2013

3.6 out of 5

By Jerrica Tisdale


Leo James studies Music in York, England.  This training has helped him produce an album with depth that is not often seen in young musicians. The raspy, soulful vocals, poetic lyrics and accompanying band make the I Only Pray When I’m Desperate (tasters) remarkably good.

The I Only Pray When I’m Desperate (tasters) album fuses many genres that seem incompatible.  For example, the song “Reddyblue Eyes” blends folk and jazz sounds. Along with its complex musical tone, I Only Pray When I’m Desperate (tasters) tackles gut-wrenching issues with its lyrics, including the subjects of religion and broken relationships. Leo James and his band enter this album with reckless abandonment, and they reap the rewards for it. 

The opening song, “Reddyblue Eyes,” lyrically captures the struggle of most relationships. Metaphorically, red and blue represent contrasting emotions that are often associated with those colors. Red represents passion, love and anger.  Blue shows sadness and indifference.  “Reddyblue Eyes” uses lyrical complexity to convey the song’s message. However, it keeps the instruments of saxophone and guitar simple. 

On the other hand, “Little Bo Peep” keeps the lyrics minimal, but the instruments very intricate. The song is reminiscent of a 1920s dance club tune.  The lyrics repeat themselves, but they match nicely with the speed of the instruments. On the track “I Only Pray When I’m Desperate,” James gives his best vocals. The acoustic nature of the song almost makes it like a lullaby. This creates a meditative discussion on belief, god and religion. 

I Only Pray When I’m Desperate (tasters) has a clear focus, but often lets the instruments outshine the vocals.  However, to contrast those songs where the instruments are too loud to hear the vocals, there are very simple songs. These songs really let Leo James’s strong singing abilities shine.  If this is only a sample of what he can do, we cannot wait to hear more from him.
Become A Fan
soundcloud
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by pitchperfect158
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
© Pitch Perfect 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact