02.06.08
It’s not for the cock, it’s for being only ‘All Right’.
Jim Noir-’All Right’ EP
In 2005 Jim Noir released his debut album ‘Tower of Love’ to a very warm critical reception. Despite this wide acclaim, the album’s most memorable moment in the ears of the English public was the appearance of single ‘My Patch’ on an advert for a well known brand of pasties. Undeterred, Noir plans to release his second album this year on My Dad Recordings and like ‘Tower Of Love’ before it, the album has been preceded by an EP.
The ‘All Right’ EP shows Noir exploring a more electronic sound in his music which can be seen in the EP’s title track which has a very delicate sound not so dissimilar to that of Zero 7. The track also sows a departure from Noir’s almost trademark kitsch lyrical style, using juvenile catchphrases and slang in his songs. In this track at least it seems his lyrics have given way, slightly, to a more complex musical direction as the mix of electronics and drums create a much bigger sound than alot of Noir’s previous work.
The EP’s highlight has to be ‘Standing On A Corner’ which is a wonderfully charming piece of work which builds, with soft waves of crashing cymbals, to a gloriously big crescendo filled with catchy Futureheads style vocal harmonies which perfectly compliment it’s bustling electronic-folk sound. The track captures are real Beach Boys-style summer sound which is just screaming out to have pride of place on a summer driving mixtape.
Overall, ‘All Right’ is an entirely pleasant collection of sounds expertly into three songs in a way that gives each track an individual sound while still allowing the EP to have a definite flow to it. However, while the compositions are far more interesting, Noir has slightly let himself down on the lyrical side of his music on this EP. With far more simple lyrics which are mostly lost under a much busier sound Noir seems to have lost the individual sound that earned him his earlier critical acclaim.
Hear the EP in full on Jim Noir’s myspace.