Whiplash

James

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 1997)
• Original Release Date: February 25, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001EQR
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,175 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In my opinion, James' Best Album, September 19, 2001

By	"mahler3-79" (Indianapolis, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

Everyone has his own taste in music, and for that reason it's a very sebjective matter. First of all, I love James. That said, I consider this their best album because it moves me the most.

Of course, if you aren't familiar with James, I recommend The Best Of, which includes three tracks from this disc: Tomorrow, Waltzing Along, and She's a Star. One thing I've noticed about James, though, is that the songs on their albums that appear on The Best Of have a very distinct quality. And in some ways they give only a slight indication of what each album is like. On Whiplash, the other songs are wonderful and wonderfully different from those three.

Lost a Friend is by far my favorite track with it's harpsichord sounds in some parts and great guitar rifts in the others. And moving lyrics that take notice of our absorption in our televisions and the violence we see there from other parts of the world and our own militaries.

This album also seems experimental in booming bass rhythms and a dance-like quality (dance club). But that description is poor and don't let it suggest that the lyrics have suffered because of it. The new sound adds just another facet to James (one that you hear more of on Millionaires) that you don't hear on The Best Of, and perhaps wouldn't dream of hearing if you've only heard, say, Laid.

Whiplash, except perhaps for the most recent Pleased to Meet You, is James' strongest social critique. While the subject matter can be sad (or saddening)-- like a pleading mother earth (Greenpeace) or a harsh attack on what seems like a materialistic American culture that loses itself in the TV and the mall (Go to the Bank)-- this disc has elements of hope, unfortunately mixed with despair. It opens with a song urging its listeners, no matter how awful things may be, to keep holding on 'til tomorrow, but the album ends with the line "Blue Pastures fade away."

This is a good album. Some apparently disagree with me, but I consider this essential James. It's proved, to me, even more essential than The Best Of, but, of course, I'd still recommend that as the place to start for those who haven't heard of James.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You! Out of the gene pool!, March 10, 2002

By	K. H Mark "karl_7" (Geneva, IL.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unlike some other listeners I did not accidently purchase this album, nor was I disappointed. Creative bands continually explore their sound, unlike some bands (ie. Bush). "Whiplash" is different than their CD's "Laid" (which was mellow) or "Millionares" (which is heavy on the synth side), this release boasts powerful guitars, classic James lyrics and a different direction. Overall this reminds me of their Gold Mother disc, which was fun and unpredictable. Their sound is unique to other releases and more resembles the extra songs from their "Best of" CD like Runaground & Destiny Calling. There is more James than Brian Eno on this disc unlike "Laid" or "Pleased to meet you" which were heavily influenced by Eno. If you like the more upbeat James you've heard check this release out. A great selection for the car by the way, especially when driving at high speeds...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whiplashed indeed!, December 12, 2004

By	drefractor (Arizona) - See all my reviews

I saw James in a small club during the Wah-Wah experimentation stage which was recorded at the same time as Whiplash, not more than a year after they opened for Neil Young's accoustical tour. Both shows were excellent (despite one of Neil's "fan's" complaints about Tim Booth's lack of vocal quality; LOL!), while at the same time completely different.

Whiplash does a wonderful job in melding these two experiences. The relatively 'tame' Laid music shows up (Tomorrow, Homeboy, Avalanche) with some of the electronic Wah Wah explosion I heard in the small club (GreenPeace, Go to the Bank, parts of Play Dead) and we get some additional Eno looping trance stylistics (Watering Hole, Blue Pastures). The end result is a whiplash of musical styles and vocal offerings that are alternatively heavy and light, hopeful and resigned, passive and angry.... quite an emotional rollercoaster.

Add to these the exceptional lyrics throughout --highlighted by the aching social commentary of "Lost a Friend" -- and you get a rare complete listening experience.