Ok; so on the back of some choice support slots and regular gigging around the South Coast those loveable Art/Rockers Jimmy B and The Death Rattles have unleashed their first LP, and what a fine body of work it is. The inspiringly titled “Porno Taught Me How to Love” is a mishmash of styles that will cover many genres and tastes.
It opens with “Monkey Head” and a sample of what sounds like an alarm siren, before giving way to an Electro beat. The somewhat deliberately strained and tortured vocals take centre stage here with hints of (IMO) Brett Anderson. The samples are aplenty here on in from Sam and Joey (samples and BV’s), gently nestling in the background. There’s something rather sinister in the line “is that a Monkey in your Head?” which is the dominant feature of the song. It’s a great opener and sets the template for what is to come. “Tallulah” begins with more sampling before a slower intro. The trickling water sound gives a really Gothic feel to the song, but ends as quickly as it starts. Jimmy’s haunting vocal then kicks in. Layered between gentle and angry it is complemented by subtle sampling and a simple bass in the background. The piano accompaniment is joined once again by that water trickling sample and the vocal is reduced at times to almost whispers. I wonder if “Tallulah” is fictional or real? If the former she is the figment of a wild imagination. The song’s fadeout is a neat touch.
“God Is Here” is more upbeat with Matt’s rat-a-tat drumming intro. The vocals are reminiscent of the New Romantic era and the lyrics speak for themselves. Chiming guitars occasionally surface in the background while the vocals are simple enough. A noodly middle 8 gives way to a chanted, strained chorus of “God Is Here”, while the piano outro is great. Another rasping guitar intro dampens yet another sample edit on “On My TV”. The Garage/Punk vocal is bellowed with equal parts anger and gusto. Think 76/77 era Rotten; think CBGB’s 1976, think sleazy Rock dives with a sweat-covered vocalist on a tiny stage, vocalising as if his life depended on it. Symbal-led drumming, chunky guitars, and the occasional noodle here and there – a collection of sounds and a truly breath-taking highlight of this collection. The ending is haunting and the “don’t know, which way, it wants to go” line is delivered with a frightening echo.
“Numbers” opens with all the sleaze of a downtown strip club before the Iggy-esque vocals kick in with a certain menace. It’s sleazy with a capital S, before straining in the chords. The Glammy feel masks a sinister underbelly and I’m reminded of the Stooges “Nightclubbing”, but it has enough of the Death Rattle stamp to make it their own. More sampling, squeals and giggles in the background only add to the creepy undercurrent. This song would be best observed in the live arena where one can enjoy every element from every corner of the stage. “Rejoice” is a carefully placed mid-LP, spoken word edit – from where I don’t know! But such are the array of styles on offer it’s not out of place.
“Just Like You” has a piano-led intro with a soft, sultry vocal that gently eases itself in. I’m in no doubt it’s a romantic song with someone in mind. Vocally delivered with a pure, heartfelt honesty – one can just feel the pain coming through in the words. “We Are Fire” returns the power with that raspy chord structure and Electro beat. The lazy drawl in the vocals strains toward the chorus. I now draw comparisons with 8th Day-era Hazel O’Connor, but feel this is purely coincidental. A noodly middle 8 is complemented by a brooding bass in the background, while the ending is terrific – leaving you just begging for more.
“The Returned” again greets the listener with more Electro sounds and samples. The strong, clear and coherent vocal then makes itself known. Steeped in the 80’s it has that classic synth hook, with more well-placed beats and samples accompanying the beat. Another mid-song spoken word edit replaces the mid-8 and elevates the song somewhat. Spoken word edit no.2 emerges at the end, taking the song to its conclusion. “Soul Savers” is the final offering and another piano-led song. There is a pure honesty within Jimmy’s vocal that cannot be ignored. There’s a clever clicky beat which is ever present throughout and not for the first time, the song employs more sampling.
One might be asking/thinking, is this a concept album? Or an album of multiple layers, genres and ideas (and anything else I may have missed)! Either way, as a debut it is a fine body of work. Taking influence from many genre’s they have found a niche style and sound that wonít be found in just any UK backwater. This style of theirs is well rehearsed and they have honed their art to produce these magical ten songs. I applaud anyone trying to stand out from the crowd but Jimmy B and the Death Rattles are quite clearly out on their own and on their own terms. If this is just a sweetener then I for one would suggest there’s more and better to come. But one has to see this band live to totally “get it”. But don’t take my word for it, go see for yourselves!
Track Listing
Monkey Head
Tallulah
God is Here
On My TV
Numbers
Rejoice
Just Like You
We Are Fire
The Returned
Soul Savers
Link
https://facebook.com/jimmybandthedeathrattles
Review by Ross A. Ferrone.
