Search - Jamie T :: Panic Prevention

Asymmetrical Music

P. Jones | The Mountains, NC | 11/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After decades of hearing about the newest British band to have the type of talent and staying power of the Beatles (Yeah, right.), I've learned to ignore the hype. And anyway, do we want such a thing?



Jamie T is not John L he's Jamie T, and there's no reason to hype him as anything else. In the age of downloading only the best songs rather than spending money on plastic, packaging and pulp, Jamie T's debut CD rocks from beginning to end making it an exception to the new economy. It's a lifetime keeper. It's raw, it's hip hopish, it's not hip hopish, it's got dirty words, smart rhymes, lively licks, urban slang and its by a kid who hangs in the streets where life is vibrant. Me thinks he brings his own vibrancy.



How could a product so unpolished as this CD be so good? Beats me, but it is. Like all great music it takes a few listens to get into, and then it just keeps getting better. It's not smooth or pretty, it's edgy and full of energy and promise. And it's different. I need bigger speakers so I can play it louder."

BRITISH, STREETWISE AND SUPER TALENTED (4.1 stars)

Cary S. Whitt | Columbus,Ohio USA | 09/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First listens of this much ballyhooed record (in the UK at least), spark immediate similarities to things like The Arctic Monkeys and Babyshambles. While this maybe true at first, repeated listens reveal a ramshackle singer/rapper that's a lot more like The Streets, or the evil British twin of G Love.



Panic Prevention finds London native, Mr. Jamie T. (and his band, The Pacemakers) mashing all sorts of urban and street musical styles (rap, reggae, punk, garage rock), with surprisingly good results. Released many many months ago in the UK, the record is finally available (at a much cheaper cost than the import) right here in the good old U. S. of A.



Nothing about Panic Prevention is smooth. Vocal delivery is purposely slurred and shoddy, keyboard and guitar playing is triumphantly garage-like and sloppy, and every song sounds like it was just written 5 minutes ago. The album's first track, Brand New Bass Guitar, sings the praises of an ill-sounding instrument and oddly compliments Jamie's drunk-ish vocals. In fact, as soon as the song is over - we hear Jamie apologizing for "the scrappiest version of that song he's ever done," clever enough I guess. As soon as Salvador starts though, you can hear exactly what this record is capable of sounding like. Great lyrics and a fun mix of garage rock and urban inspired rhythm and samples. Like a hip-hop record, there are numerous short (very short) skits in-between some of the songs, Don't worry, doesn't grate on the nerves like skits usually do. Instead, they help paint a picture of the mindset and commentary of what you might be hearing next, quite fun really.



Favorite tracks are numerous for me. Radio-friendly (minus the f-bombs), Calm Down Dearest has a great hook you'll be singing immediately. Sheila is equally to task, with a great looping drum track, that backs some fun rhymes, along interesting samples. Lyrically, the Arctic Monkeys comparisons are most evident on a song like So Lonely Was the Ballad. The vocal pace of which is quite fast, but nothing so motor-mouthed to keep you from learning some great lines. In it, Jamie spouts off, "They talk with their fists and argue with their friends. Always take the piss, but they're loyal in the end. Watch out cuz they'll steal your girlfriend, take her round the back, she'll come back limping." Love the naughtiness Jamie. Occasionally, we get a very stripped down guitar only tune. Back in the Game is one of those tracks and like most of Panic Prevention, it's craft is more intimate than inferior, and after a few times through, it gets better and better.



A bonus for us Yanks is the inclusion of 2 (US only) bonus tracks, one of which is the favorite Rawhide, featuring Lily Allen, the song is nothing great, but hey, it's a bonus track that doesn't sound like a bonus track. For those looking for something extremely British and street-wise, you'd be hard pressed to find a better release this year than Panic Prevention."