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'Psychedelic Colours' Album Review -
September
2012
Psychedelic Colours is the brand new LP from Birmingham based singer/songwriter Alistair Jones. The album starts off with the albums first single Floating on Clouds, which dare I say is a floaty, dreamy and catchy hit! The psychedelic feeling of the album really comes alive in the very first track. The drums here flow and keeps your interest held all the way through. The raw guitar solo is a welcome comeback into the world of classic bluesy rock!
Following this comes Around Here, which sounds like something from Pearl Jams early days and Jones' clearly takes vocal influences from Eddie Vedder. I Don't Know What's Going on, the third track on the album is a great protest song, and the idea of the general public reacting to the racial tension that surrounds our societies in Britain at the moment. The lyrics are very poignant and really reflects the fact that Alistair lives in a big city like Birmingham. Psychedelic Colours is a lovely acoustic number that comes around midway through the album with soft piano chords backing Jones' flowing vocals and a great bass line that really drives the track. The album is very varied and draws on world music in tracks like Today is The Tomorrow. The inclusion of bongos and a sitar keep you hooked into the song and the drone of the other instruments really keep your attention.
I think my favourite tracks on the albums are the acoustic numbers like Another Way, this track has some great reverb, and this is going to sound really geeky, but really reminds me of the Wutai music from the game Final Fantasy 7. There are some great vocal harmonies in the chorus here. Will You Be There is a melancholy song about longing for someone and it really has echoes of some of
Kasabian's slower songs. This track has a great trippy and bluesy guitar solo.
For me, the strongest track on the album is I'm A Man. Jones' vocals shine through and the choice to have a purely acoustic track here breaks up the flow of the album towards the end but it absolutely works. This LP is definitely a fantastic driving album. I just wish I lived in the U.S so I could put this album on, have the roof down and drive from coast to coast!
Sound is Like Water is another psychedelic track and the chord progressions fit in well with the albums theme. The reverb used here really adds to that trippy soundscape. Again, this track really reminds me of some of
Kasabian's later work.
The album finishes with the track Free which is a real powerful end to the LP. The deep bass line and bluesy guitar riff really complete the track! It's a fantastic album and one I'll come back to again and again!
Review By Joseph Ellis
'Psychedelic Colours' Album Review - August
2012
AL and Rich have been able to find such a unique style of music and one is able to hear that this album has been written, recorded and produced with much blood, sweat and tears! Some songs are like a time machine...they vault you right into the age of the flower people. Others make you brood on the past while you are humming the theme absolutely lost in thought. Some evoke psychedelic colours without being on a trip...just because of the great sound and others are
Britpop/Shoe-gazing influenced like they've been written by My Bloody Valentine or Blur.
It pays well that they've put a lot of effort into recording all the different instruments - in this way a complex acoustic pattern emerged and the two songs that were written together are able to concern people emotionally. The whole
adaptation of the album turned out very well.... I like their way of using the instruments in order to emphasize the lyrics. This really is a very eclectic piece of work! Congratulations!!!
- Kerstin Briddigkeit 02/08/12
'Postcards' Album Review - January 2011
2010 sees Birmingham based Alistair
C Jones release his third album. ‘Postcards’ builds on his first two
albums, ‘A Different Story’ and his debut ‘The Dice of Life’ and we
once again hear Jones’ thoughts and emotions come out through his music and
songs.
Altogether ‘Postcards’ feels a much more coherent effort than his first
two albums, and like with a lot of unsigned music you really feel this
musician has had the freedom to produce the music that he wants to write, free
from the constraints of a dominating studio. The production on this album is
solid and producer Richard Beason manages to create that great raw sound that
we always seem to associate with unsigned music.
The song writing is predominantly about love and the trials and tribulations
that come with finding that perfect moment in life.
You can hear Jones’ influences coming through in this album, and there are
hints of Springsteen, McCartney, U2 and other classic acts, but he still
manages to keep a fresh modern feel to his music. The title ‘Postcards’ is
a fitting name for the album as throughout listening to the album you do feel
you have travelled through a variety of musical styles and emotions. Personal
favourites include Full Circle and Don’t Close the Book Running just under
50 minutes you get a lot of music for your money, the album can be bought
through his website www.alistaircjonesmusic.com
- Clixie.co.uk
20/01/11
'A Different Story' Album Review - April 2009
Al's musical journey continues and it's picking up quite a pace! He has come a
long way since his great debut CD.
This latest CD shows a greater
maturity musically and the influences more resonant throughout. The American
influences, folk, protest, blues, rhythms all shine through.
Vocally Al has matured too and
'Jimmy' showcases this.
Al comes across as a modern day protest hero talking and lamenting
about the fate of mankind. There is a positive message throughout though.
Check out 'The World Without Us'
and the message rings through loud and clear. A very clever video has been
made to accompany this song, quite graphic but illustrating the point so
well.
'Can't See Me' has a plaintive cry
for help. Beautiful reflection on life and plight of the homeless.
Acoustically there are some very
strong melodies and hooks within the songs and the addition of Rich on bass
and Toko's backing vocals adds to the fuller, more intense sound.
The last track 'Take Me Home'
is a softer acoustic track and a lovely track to end on.
The artwork on the cover and
photos...the word 'Liberty' adds to the vibe. Beautifully produced and
put together by this talented team.
Keep that journey going Al you're
definitely heading in the right direction.
Gaynor Andrews 04/04/09
SF Vibe - Feb 2009
"A
Different Story"
shows how Alistair’s music is going from strength to strength. The songs are
like stories that you want to read and find out what happens. You can tell
that Alistair has searched deep to write this material. The recording and
production of this album is fantastic hats off to Rich Beason. I look forward
to more great music and to see these guys in San Francisco.
-
Zak
A Different Story - Review by Kerstin Briddigkeit -
Alistair C. Jones 2nd album “A Different Story” - which comes in a very elegant presentation – documents his musically maturation and the technically further development he and his Bassist Rich Beason have been able to
achieve.
The catchy selection of melodies slide immediately right into your ears, they make their way through your body and finish in your feet where they make you beat time by tapping your toes. By using more instruments and background vocals they are able to carry out a more powerful and dynamic
sonority.
I’m very happy that AL still stays true to his unique style of music and that he continues to pick up all the themes which lie at his heart. In his songs he deals with issues of environmentalism, homelessness and the search of the meaning of life and finding his own way to go. It seems that he is answering an inner call by singing his songs and thereby he gives those ideas a powerful scope.
'The Dice Of Life' Album Review - April 8, 2008
I – Life:
Life is showing you many faces and you have to find your way through it all! A heartening melody which awakens the hope to reach an aspiration.
II – San Francisco:
Alistair is a great raconteur who makes you embarking on a journey! You
instantly feel the longing to share the unforgettable impressions he made there!
The lively tune, his voice and the lyrics are showing the special affinity he
has to San Francisco. They convey the relaxed feeling being there as much as the
desire hereafter. I can’t get that tune out of my head!
III – Slice Of Cake:
This frantic melody quite well expresses the eager aim for getting another Slice
Of Cake!
IV – Yes I Do:
A very gentle song, which once again perfectly catches the described situation!
You quasi are lying at the beach with him – listening to the surf, enjoying
the sun and the blue sky. At the end he is holding a slightly atrabilious
communion with himself. A really seductive melody!
V – Dice Of Life:
This song evokes the picture of an old-fashioned western. A man seeking his
refuge in flight is going by train across the states. Whiskey is his comforting
companion, gnawing doubt is propelling him. But then he realizes that –
although things have changed in the meantime – he wants to go back home. With
all the passion and the pain! The tunes of this song remind me of clattering
wheels on rails!
VI – Just
Remembering:
My favourite song! It’s a story of a homeless who has left his family to
chance his luck in America in order to offer them a better life. But they don’t
want to let him in – it’s no open-armed welcome! The “Land of the Free”
becomes his enemy. He has to struggle hard for his life being in a foreign
country without his beloved ones. Only the love for his family gives him the
power to fight on. What a soothing idea – Love conquers all!! Omnia vincit
amor! This song is great! I love the tunes, the story, the lyrics, and the
instrumentation…
VII – Governator:
Well this song sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger! A mixture of the Governor and
the Terminator! *lol*
VIII – I Know:
Everyone is looking for someone like this. A person you can bank on in any
situation. A refuge - a “Tower Of Strength”! Someone who unconditionally
lends you his support. To have someone like this is the greatest gift! Seems
that fortune smiled on you Al!
Concluding Words:
The album “The Dice Of Life” indicates that Alistair C. Jones is a great
storyteller who is able to magic up places, situations, feelings and ideas by
his caring, sincere songs. I’m looking forward getting the next one! Keep on
making such wonderful music Al!!
-
Kerstin B.
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