La Petite Mort

Product Information

Highlights include the mighty first single Moving On, anthemic Curse Curse, and Frozen Britain, which was unleashed onto the airwaves and internet from late February. All songs written by Tim Booth, Larry Gott, Jim Glennie, Saul Davies and Mark Hunter. All lyrics by Booth. [14] a b c Turner, Luke (16 September 2014). "James, La Petite Mort". Wondering Sound. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014 . Retrieved 25 May 2020. Blog: The Gathering Sound Stories (Spring 2013)". James. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019 . Retrieved 25 May 2020.

Whitehurst, Andrew (31 July 2014). "Remix Classic Indie-Dance Band James!". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022 . Retrieved 27 September 2022.

Features

La Petite Mort, the band’s first album in four years, is about death. No surprise there. The title translates to English as The Little Death and there’s a Day of the Dead skull in profile on the cover. Tim Booth recently lost his mother and a close friend, giving the lyrics some extra weight, naturally. Sometimes the music goes along the same path and at other times it does not. La Petite Mort finds James at a crossroads, but it’s not the kind of crossroads that presents new opportunities and game-changers. It’s a crossroads that asks the band and its fans if the James formula really suits their every approach. Because for subject matter so introspective, there’s not much subtlety to the music inside of La Petite Mort. Brown, David (5 May 2014). "James Announce La Petite Mort Tour Dates And Release Moving On Video". Louder Than War. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020 . Retrieved 29 May 2020.

Overwhelming emotions can bring something out from the soul, leading to rich flows of inspiration that can translate into powerful artistic expression. But ‘La Petite Mort’ never sounds morbid, and although it’s sometimes dark, sad and thought provoking, it’s actually an inspiring, uplifting and euphoric piece of work that (amongst other things) looks at the idea that death may not be the end. A definite rejuvenation also coincides with the group all recording together again, following two mini albums from 2010 which involved the band members sending each other their individual ideas to work on. As a result of reconnecting with each other, this is a set of songs that succeeds in capturing their seismic live energy. Over 30 years into their career, and James are making some of their best music.Booth recently said that the band feel that they’ve made one of their strongest albums, which is quite a statement to make when it’s your 13th album, but I definitely agree with them. One listen to the sneak preview the band treated fans to 5 days before the official album release, and I was in love with an album I didn’t and couldn’t have (yet, anyway!) The direction the band have taken with the album is interesting, as information regarding the title referring to the recent loss of Booth’s Mother and best friend is divulged in the sleeve notes. With such tragedy underpinning the album title, you’d expect the album to have a sadness running through it, with a hint of melancholy and darkness, but the album is incredibly upbeat, and definitely one everyone should have! a b c d e La Petite Mort (booklet). James. BMG/ Cooking Vinyl. 2014. COOKCD604. {{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link) James perform Moving On: music session". The Telegraph. 19 May 2014. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018 . Retrieved 25 May 2020.

Producer Max Dingel seems to have brought raw passion from the septet, bringing the keys and bass to the fore. Booth’s vocals still crystal clear however, and Moving On is another emotional effort, offset by its wonderfully upbeat chorus and beat. It’s powerful motive is stirring enough, but couple it with the animated video (by Ainslie Henderson) and it is guaranteed to bring tears to a glass eye. Brown, David (20 March 2013). "Tim Booth of James releases new live solo video". Louder Than War. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020 . Retrieved 29 May 2020.Péter Vácz Delivers a Powerful Tale of Loss & Regret in 'All I'm Saying' ". directorsnotes.com. 4 November 2013 . Retrieved 13 August 2020. There are a couple of numbers that don’t sit overly well within the album. Curse Curse is an attempt to shift focus to electro trance-pop, and it doesn’t really come off. Instead, it sounds like a group of slightly elder gentlemen who have just discovered the synthesizer after returning from a week in Ibiza, secretly misled they hadn’t stayed longer. Gone Baby Gone is another attempt at a move into different territory, however it’s just a little underwhelming, though nothing a catchy chorus cant help out with. Although they split for six years in the early 2000’s, not many bands last as long as James have, and to hear them making music as strong and potent as this after 30 years is an absolute joy. ‘La Petite Mort’ is a dazzling addition to their discography and easily their finest collection of songs in years. La Petite Mort has sprung from writing sessions in Athens, Lisbon, the Scottish Highlands and the tropical paradise of Ancoats. We have had a long, sometimes toughicult [sic] but exciting journey, and it’s been oh so very fruitful and rewarding.