Search - James Kirk :: You Can Make It If You Boogie

Felicitous, indeed

Julian Stewart | San Francisco, CA USA | 07/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While James Kirk may not be the most celebrated former member of Orange Juice, his twenty-years-after-the-fact solo debut reminds us that Edwyn Collins didn't have the exclusive license to write sparkling guitar pop. The songwriting is solid and the melodies infinitely catchy, drawing favorable comparisons to Kirk's former Postcard labelmate Roddy Frame and in a more contemporary light, Belle and Sebastian. "Get On Board" and "Rehab" in particular display a variety of tasty Motown-styled guitar licks, while "Houston, Texas" showcases a mordant lyrical wit. A pop-lovers pop record."

OJ's wayward son makes good

Carlton Whitehead | PA United | 01/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No, this isn't the captain of the enterprise, but he is scottish, and he was a founding member of the great UK band Orange Juice. His fame is an obscure one however, as you probably know him better for penning songs like "Felicity" than you know him. He also has the honour of being THE "James" the band "James" named themselves after.He meddled with music but really did little after he left OJ, so why he decided to make an LP 20 years on is a mystery. We can all be thankful that he did however. The songs are like a travelogue thru a jazzily acoustic wonderland where less IS more, and you do wear your angst on your sleeve and it's just beautiful there, as is everything. This is that rare treat, the trip down that takes you up. It was a joy to listen to but when track three "Rehab" started I was gone. My will had surrendered. My God if it's not one of the swankiest and sexiest intelligent songs ever written. That's one of the key poins to this, the lyrics are outstanding and the music if not "poppy" is upbeat and quite catchy.Also included is a remix of his wonderful OJ song Felicity which is a nice treat as he did not sing the original with OJ. This is just a sublime gem of a record and my only hope is that it does get heard, and that Jim doesn't make us wait 20 more years for the next one. Short sound bits of it are avaialable on the Marina website, but take a chance and take the plunge. If you think Sondre Lerche is fab, try a guy twice his age and twice as wise (with talent to boot) You'll be glad you did."

Falling and laughing

Boxodreams | district of columbia | 01/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If only to make clear where that delicious Orange Juice jangle guitar sound came from, James Kirk rises from his hiding place among the nine billion people on the planet to present those who might remember him a shimmering prize -- here is the album Orange Juice might have made if Zeke never joined the band and Edwyn got a sore throat instead of the horrible bad that befell him. Kirk shows that whatever went on in the long, short intervening years, he hasn't lost his sense of humor, sunny disposition, hipster bent, soft spot for soul and understated ability to write a great guitar pop song, Postcard style. What strikes me most about "You Can Make It if You Boogie" is the goodwill, the peace of mind. No angst, no hard feelings, just a guy and his pickup band shaking off the cobwebs, oiling the changes and realizing, hey, it's still fun and I'm not old yet. Out of print, already, for pete's sake, but worth seeking out as a keepsake for old Orange Juice fans. Only, they'll find it doesn't just sit still like the completist's fetish artifact it most likely is, but rather keeps making it's happy way into the CD deck without ever asking you to feel sorry for it. Happy trails, James, and we'll see you in -- what? -- twenty years?"