Customer Reviews

Panic Prevention

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

ive heard few styles like jamie t. hes fun and innovative as well as being comically a british tramp. the music like a mix of ska and rap. even though his lyrics are fast and it seems like nonsense hes actually pretty coherent and intelligible in his lyrics so unlike many other rap-style singers.

Jamie-T makes alternative music that doesn't lose it's impact after two or three listens, it's still just as fresh fun and moving as the first time, well okay not the first, but definitely the second and third, great for cranking up really load and singing to!

I actually bought this CD to replace a version that I had given to me by a friend and that I ripped to my MP3 player and passed along to another friend months ago. I bought this copy as props to this incredible artist, and for the fact that I need to own a hard copy of this CD, and was unable to pry it out of the hands of the friend I 'lent' it to!

This disc is hands-down my favorite of 2008 (I found it late) with every single track being solid, and all of them being extrememly unique. Initially, I was drawn to 'So Lonely Was the Ballad', 'Sheila' and 'If you Got the Money', but as I have continued to spin this, I have gone seriously into each and every track one after another. 'Salvador', 'Calm Down Dearest', and my current fave 'Operation' are all stellar.

I can still spin this disc start to end any day of the week.

If you like The Streets and/or Sublime I strongly suggest you take a chance on this virtually unknown artist. You will be glad that you did.

You can tell that Jamie T and co. had a lot of fun making this CD. If you don't take this too seriously you'll LOVE it. The whole album still keeps my interest after dozens of plays. Keep an eye on this guy in the future.

Jamie T is an artist I knew nothing about until I bought the Gorillaz new album D-sides, on which he remixes one of their tracks. His version of Kids With Guns is the stand out track of that album, and it was impressive enough I immediately borrowed Panic Prevention from a friend who works at the local radio station.
At first, I was wondering how much magic Gorillaz had to work on his remix to make it presentable, because I thought Panic Prevention was unlistenable. I'm still learning to appreciate its unconventional sound, but makes up for its sloppy sound with plenty of charisma. It just takes a while to come to the surface.
Nearly every track is good, with some genuinely catchy and impressive tunes. The true standouts are "So Lonely Was The Ballad", a quirky rap, and "Ike and Tina", which has a well-executed, energetic beat which plays a great contrast to the laid-back lyrics which accompany it. That particular track reminds me a bit of Gnarls Barkley (high praise indeed).
Some of the other great tracks are "Pacemaker", "Back In The Game", and "Sheila"- the latter two having received wide praise and publicity in England, and the flagship tracks of the album (although not my favorites).
The only tracks I do not enjoy are "Come Down Dearest" and "Brand New Bass Guitar". Compared to the rest of the tracks, they seem unfinished, a little too sonically sparse, with little of interest going on.
Overall, this CD has what it takes to impress, but it may take a while to show its mettle. But like a chia pet, though it may look ugly and smell bad at first, it'll grow more endearing over time.

A unique sound that stands out as an original. Both the music and lyrics are quirky and entertaining. Not hard rocking but not too mellow either.

Jamie's CD is one of the best I have!! His songs are totally different from most of the music out there and I enjoy listening to it on a regular basis!! This CD is another example of how British music is so awesome!!!

I bought this CD because I'd heard "Sheila" on XM radio's Upop station. I love that song, and still do, but the rest of this CD certainly did not impress me much.
It's a lot of yelling, none of it reminded me of that great single, and the music was no where near wonderful. If you like music that makes you feel tense and angry after hearing it then go ahead and buy this. Otherwise, download the single and forget about these guys.