Carry On The Grudge by Jamie T

Oh how I've missed Jamie T. I was 14 when I was first introduced to the master that the man is by my boyfriend of the time and I haven't fallen out of love with him since. Jamie T, that is. A respected lyrical genius, Jamie T has always been in a league of his own and after a long five year hiatus, he is finally back with third album, Carry On The Grudge. 

His sound has changed, not beyond recognition, but there is definitely something more grown up and refined about this album. There's no shouts of "lightweight prick" but the conversation of drugs, love and life is still abundant and there is still aggression driving the music forward. His sound is mostly less frantic and more calm and allows him to take a stage without having to bounce back and forward like he's a teenage boy. I was lucky enough to catch his surprise set at Reading Festival this year and it was clear that his hiatus has revived him. He stood behind his mic with his guitar and powered through classics and new songs alike and it filled the crowd with energy. Jamie T continues to be loved because his simplicity is engaging and there's not a lot of artists who can stand and sing with passion alone and create hysteria among a huge crowd.

Singles, Some Of The Time (which is a massive grower, in fact, it's now one of my favourite) and Zombie sit well on the album; they add dynamics that the album would otherwise lack. The Prophet is just gorgeous. Then you hear Trouble and the dynamic is changed once again. This song has elements of second album Kings and Queens and gets you dancing; it's groovy. Same can be said of Rabbit Hole. Peter has the catchiest lyrics on the album and restores the griminess that Jamie T does so well. I could quite happily, and nearly have, praised every song on this album but I'll leave you with my favourite lyric on the album: "Love is only a heartbeat away but it's saved for the darkest of your days." Jamie T, you beautiful man, welcome back.

Listen to: Peter

7/10

Carry On The Grudge is available to buy now.
You can catch Jamie T on tour this October/November with support from the glorious Slaves.

A tailored version of this review is also available in the October 2014 print of Quench Magazine.