James Blake live

k · **Posted:** Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:35 pm

I like some of what this guy does, he certainly seems to have at least a good understanding of signal processing, but I think he overdoes it sometimes--specifically with the voice. But as someone said on here, some of the bass that he lays out is filtered really nicely. It just hasn't been enough so far to get me super excited about him, but I can definitely say I'm interested to see where he goes next with some of the talents he has.

That being said, I don't know that I would want to see him with a live band behind him. I like that he is sequencing live apparently, allows for a little bit of change for sure, but for someone like this live I would prefer to see them really change their process and do something completely different than what is on record for an audience--Peter Broderick immediately comes to mind as a great example (was amazed by what that guy did live a couple of years ago).

jsh · **Posted:** Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:44 pm

DumpJack Wrote:

I thought this thread was about that 'You're Beautiful' guy.

surely you don't mean...

Kingfish · **Posted:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:54 am

jsh Wrote:

OK, I disagree with you.

While I think it's a little pompous overall, mostly because he's British, I think it's sonically interesting, and emotionally invested, whereas most music tends toward one end of the spectrum or the other. He manages to blend sentimentality with a bit of originality and creativity. I don't mind the way and the extent to which he affects his voice, because I think he's using it as a facet of the composition, not to underscore it as a standalone vocal. Listen to "I Never Learned to Share". His voice is the only constant, while the music morphs to it. That track is fucking rad and adventurous.

My only real criticism, aside from his character, is that the album is homogenous, whereas the style of his EPs is relatively varied. I think he could have shown a bit more of his depth on this record.

OK, now disagree with me.

I enjoyed reading this, jsh. I can't disagree with you as I think we just have fundamentally different notions of music.

two guns holla · **Posted:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 12:58 pm

jsh Wrote:

DumpJack Wrote:

I thought this thread was about that 'You're Beautiful' guy.

surely you don't mean...

Pretty sure he means James Blunt

jsh · **Posted:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 1:43 pm

Kingfish Wrote:

jsh Wrote:

OK, I disagree with you.

While I think it's a little pompous overall, mostly because he's British, I think it's sonically interesting, and emotionally invested, whereas most music tends toward one end of the spectrum or the other. He manages to blend sentimentality with a bit of originality and creativity. I don't mind the way and the extent to which he affects his voice, because I think he's using it as a facet of the composition, not to underscore it as a standalone vocal. Listen to "I Never Learned to Share". His voice is the only constant, while the music morphs to it. That track is fucking rad and adventurous.

My only real criticism, aside from his character, is that the album is homogenous, whereas the style of his EPs is relatively varied. I think he could have shown a bit more of his depth on this record.

OK, now disagree with me.

I enjoyed reading this, jsh. I can't disagree with you as I think we just have fundamentally different notions of music.

Peace and understanding.

That said, if you could make music like this, I would either listen to you, or dismiss you as a pedestrian follower.

Z · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:38 pm **Posts:** 7979

jsh Wrote:

Z Wrote:

jsh Wrote:

i was part of a bid to put him on here in toronto at an intimate and beautiful space, but he elected to go with a traditional rock pub venue with the express interest (from the horse's mouth) of demand far exceeding space, and create a line-up outside on a main thoroughfare. it sold out in two minutes.

his show here sold out in 3 minutes.

it's interesting you say that about them wanting demand to exceed the space because the people who own the venue he's playing here also own a larger venue and often move shows between the two, but it was made very clear that they would not be moving that particular show.

same story across the board. like i said, sir james' directive.

it seems someone trumped him because this show has now been moved. of course, the new allotment will probably sell out in 3 minutes again and there will still be people clamoring to get in.

nobody · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:28 pm

So...how do people here feel about stuff I've read calling James Blake the new Moby? As in he is different/creative enough to remain at least somewhat hip, but inoffensive enough that he won't offend housewives once his music starts appearing in the background of commercials for just about everything.

Dalen · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:23 pm

i personally couldn't care less who likes him or where his music is featured. all i care about is if i like him.

nobody · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:25 pm

Hell, I still like Moby. Just found it a somewhat interesting comparison.

Dick Meatwood · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:41 pm

It's a funny comparison because Moby himself is pretty divisive and mostly not thought of too fondly these days. I think he is and always was bullshit, and maybe James Blake is the same, I don't know. I never really listened to Moby until maybe a year or two after Everything Is Wrong came out, and I thought it already seemed cheesy and dated in '96-'97. I don't feel the same way about James Blake, but I certainly don't hear anything new or exciting. And I find his massive popularity and mainstream crossover appeal to be just as baffling as Moby was 15 years ago.

jsh · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:05 pm

Dalen Wrote:

i personally couldn't care less who likes him or where his music is featured. all i care about is if i like him.

and names will never hurt me

James Blake live

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