Phil Jamieson: Somebody Else - Album Review

Post

Subscribe

From the mid-1990s into the 2000s, Grinspoon was an Australian band that released some good songs and was really incredible to see live. I think I saw them three times and was never disappointed by the show they put on. Then they seemed to fade from my view. I wasn't sure what happened.Well, now I know, as, after appearing on stage in the American Idiot musical, their front-man Phil Jamieson has released his debut solo album.
Somebody Else by Phil Jamieson (2022)


Now, first of all – this is not a Grinspoon album. This is something different, and I mean that in a good way, even as someone who enjoyed Grinspoon in their heyday. But this is still a stunning album, and worth tracking down when it is released.Let's look at the tracks.

'Somebody Else' With a pounding drum and electronic-inflected vocals, plus a nice little guitar solo in the middle, this track is a strong way to open the album. Straight away, you can tell that this is not just a rehash of Grinspoon.
'Trouble' This song, released as a single, is rockier and it works really well. That grinding guitar leading into the simple chorus just makes this song feel different, and then the instrumental break-down in the middle is really good. This is a definite highlight of the album for me.

'Lights On' This is a song that surprised me. It has a modern pop feel to it over the rock instrumentation, and the falsetto singing even works well.'Rebecca' The lyrics here are really strong and the music is so strong, and this song is another highlight for me; it is my favourite track on the album. There is little more I can say – it is stunning.'Kapow!' We open with an acoustic guitar and a voice, and then this song just hits. More incredible lyrics – what is it with Australian artists and their lyrics? Nearly every Aussie album I've reviewed has had this comment from me – and a chorus worth singing along to. 5 songs in and not one has been less than great. On this alone, the album is awesome.'YCBM' We slow down for this track, with a nice use of reverb on the vocals and strong instrumentation behind some sad lyrics. Oh, and the title does not stand for anything bad; I have a feeling it is like this to differentiate it from other songs of the same title (I have 2 in my collection). However, the change of pace was good and the track is strong.'Rubberband' This is a sweet little song in sound, with one of the oddest metaphors I've heard in a while. And it works. This is another highlight for me. I like the effect put on the voice and the music behind it. And the lyrics, of course.'Little Pickle' And we finish the album by slowing right down with what is basically a lament of sorts. Interesting choice of closer, but it is not a bad song by any stretch.
And that's the album, 8 tracks, not a bad one in the bunch. Do not go into this expecting Grinspoon Part 2; this is an album that has taken some of the modern production techniques and applied them to a series of strong songs without losing that rock instrumentation that is so "there" in much of Australia's musical output. It is a really good album, and is recommended.It will be available from July 29, 2022 at all major music retail outlets.

PHIL JAMIESON & BAND – SOMEBODY ELSE ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR DATES:with special guests The PicturesTickets from https://linktr.ee/philjamieson Tickets available from: https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/phil-jamieson-and-band-w-special-guests-the-pictures/138336 THURS 28 JUL | VINNIES DIVE, GOLD COAST QLD FRI 29 JUL | SOLBAR, SUNSHINE COAST QLD SAT 30 JULY | THE ZOO, BRISBANE QLD THUR 4 AUG | JOHN CURTIN HOTEL, MELBOURNE VIC FRI 5 AUG | UC HUB, CANBERRA ACT SAT 6 AUG | OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY NSW SUN 7 AUG | SHADY PALMS, CENTRAL COAST NSW FRI 12 AUG | LIONS ART FACTORY, ADELAIDE SA SAT 20 AUG | SS&A, ALBURY NSW FRI 4 NOV | THE BIG BONANZA, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW

#music
#performing_arts
#pop_culture
%wneverywhere