James Grant - Strange Flowers

James Grant returns with Strange Flowers, his most upbeat record since Love & Money’s legendary Strange Kind of Love. More of a full blown band affair than the introspective Holy Love, another phenomenal collection of songs begins with the sweeping strings of This Could Be The Day and goes on to eclectically cover topics such as vampires (Strange Flowers), how Satan was perhaps the first solo artiste (Can’t Beat The Music) and features as its centrepiece the epic My Father’s Coat.

There are shades of Scott Walker, John Martyn, John Barry and 70s’ soul but the voice, the inimitable lyrical twists and turns and blistering guitar playing are absolute James Grant. Filled with uncommon candour, passion and dexterity, Strange Flowers reaffirms his reputation as one of the finest singer songwriters and performers there is and will undoubtedly be one of the albums of 2009.

"Sumptuous affairs full of dense, rich imagery…a voice that owes much to Scott Walker, plus the occasional furious guitar solo, and the sum of its parts add up to a scandalously neglected talent"
R2

 

"Widescreen strings ornament the breezy groove of This Could Be The Day, and closing elegy Catherine Burns is a deftly turned thing of grace"
MOJO