Review Summary: In his second lp, Jamie T continues to exhibit his unique lyricism and his diverse musical identity.
Jamie T is one of the most promising musicians of England nowadays. With his nasty vocie and British accent, his ability to depict chav-ish stories in his unique choice of words in everyday language and his mixing of a variety of musical genres such as ska, hip-hop, punk rock, indie rock and garage and even electronica, he is definitely one of the most unique singer-songwriters of 2000s Britain. In his second album "Kings and Queens" he enjoys his own style and "Kings and Queens" is one of the best albums of 2000s.
The album starts with "368". It is a song whose genre is closest to electronica with "Castro Dies" in the album. It is a good track for an opening song and he introduces us to his album by saying " this isn't the way out, this is the way in, you're doubling your trouble in". Second song of the track is "Hocus Pocus" and it is a solid rock song. With its energetic lyrics which reminds us of police movies, "Hocus Pocus" is just a good rock song, but not a memorable one. Let's go with the third and my second favourite track on the record: "Sticks 'N' Stones". It is such a powerful song which varies from punk rock to ska and hip-hop. Also, it is the one in which Jamie's lyricism is most memorable. "Sticks 'N' Stones" are full of good lyrics such as "As I travel down the track all my memories flood back. We were runnin' at ease from enemies, and rushed back to your momma's flat,it's the only place but home I feel relaxed enough to crap, I know it sounds crude, but there's something in that." and as " Cradle to the grave, I know we always misbehave, people latch down and then they rain on our parade.Girls we love leave when we want them to stay, like today, remember, what shall we say?"
"The Man's Machine" is the fourth song on the album and it is an athem for punks, skins, straights. It is such a powerful song mixed with hip-hop and britrock and it is maybe the most British song on the whole album. After "The Man's Machine" here comes Jamie's calmest and most emotional song, "Emily's Heart". In this acoustic song, Jamie (T)ells us the story of a man who let a poor girl down. In its video clip, the song has another version and it is good, too. Sixth of the album is "Chaka Demus" and it is one of the most beautiful things Jamie T've ever produced. It is more a Jamaican stuff than British and it criticizes the modern society of Britain who lost the whites in their eyes harshly. Also, it is maybe the best example of how a man like Jamie can produce a very unique sound. After that raggea song, "Spider's Web" is the seventh song and it is my favourite track on this album. Such a catchy song, soft vocals, soft melodies, and a perfect storytelling of different themes in Jamie's own beautiful structure like " My bedroom's watched by an Intifada" or " Might as well admit she's addicted to love."
The eight song on "Kings and Queens" is "Castro Dies". In my opinion it is very fair to define it as an electronic rap song. With its catchy chorus, "Castro Dies" is a song in which Jamie expresses his desire to see Cube before the death of Fidel Castro because after it they will change it to other avarage and boring places in the world. Ninth song "Earth, Wind and Fire" is the song which is closest to hip-hop with its use of samples. After it here comes "British Intelligence" and it is a solid indie rock song in which Jamie criticizes the way of things in Britain. In one of his intervies, I read it is about one of his friend that can't marry her lover because of the rules in England. "Kings and Queens" ends with "Jilly Armeen". It is a ballad and it is about a girl that doesn't respond to feelings of Jamie. It may also be interpreted as " Jilly you are mean." Just like "Emily's Heart" it is an emotional song and to me, it is a good song to conclude an energetic album like "Kings and Queens".
To conclude with, "Kings and Queens" is a great album for the listeners who have diverse musical tastes with its variety of musical sounds.
Most recommended songs are:
-368
-Sticks 'N' Stones
-Chaka Demus
-Spider's Web
