Track Listing

1. Suzy
2. Rosie
3. Liberty
4. Katie
5. Violet
6. Jayne
7. Misty
8. Emily
9. Jean
10. Summer

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27659 in Music
• Released on: 2007-03-26
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition

Customer Reviews

Breath of Fresh Air
Having put on the radio to hear apparent "fresh" new guitar based bands performing song after song written and produced using the same old blue print, this little number from Kelly Jones is truly a breath of fresh air to fans of this genre.
In the packaging Jones explains that this album was not meant for commercial appeal, and indeed it would be hard to imgine many of the tunes in their current format finding a regular spot on radio 1. However, this only adds to the appeal of the album, and shows Jones' unique understanding of his loyal fan base.
What excites me about this album? The honesty and pure emotion of Jones' vocals and lyrics are the very essence of this record, and provide the listener with a wonderful journey through what is in essence a list of 10 girls who have crossed Jones' path by one way or the other. Don't expect to be bouncing along to any of the chirpy numbers from "Performance & Cocktails" or rock to the heavy guitar sounds to the last two albums (including "Live From Dakota"). Even a track from the live album "Jayne" has been slowed down and adapted to fit into the style of this record, but is done so with great thought and is a triumph.
As a result I have found rating this particular album incredibly difficult. Personally I find this to be a wonderful collection of 10 great, yet simple tracks. Though the lack of bass or percussion will certainly alienate it from a wider audience.
Selfishly I urge everybody to go out and buy this, perhaps that will show the current hierachy of the record industry that it is the content of the songs and the performer, that far outweighs the production and commercial viability of the music, but in truth if you're looking for something to play whilst unpacking the shopping this isn't the album for you.

Not That Bad
Ok I'm a huge Jones and Stereophonics fan I love all their stuff. So listening to this arrangement, the first to be relesed under Kelly Jones' name, is quite different to anything both he and his band had done previously. In my opinion the stuff is very strong in vocals and lyrics as you would come to expect from the voice and pen of Kelly Jones but I can't help feel the tracks would benefit from the full range of rock instramentation especially drum and bass. However this isn't to say it's poor strickly speaking as a tuned down solo album it's great but I really hope Kelly doesn't waste the tracks here just on this album and it's style as they are potentially massive tracks. The live version of Jayne from the live from Dakota album shows that songs potential on here it's stripped right down and slowed massively which hinders it a little in my opinion. But there are some really great songs on here including "Liberty" and the toned down "Jayne" is still great just to name a couple. So as a massive Kelly Jones fan I'd buy this and enjoy it without question anyway but for new fans I doubt it will inspire, but having said that it was for us fans anyway so it slides right into my collection nicely.

Change nothing
I downloaded this album after being made aware of its release. An interesting set-up, 10 tracks, all female names. And what we get are 10 stories, all different, but somehow similar in the sense that they have had some kind of effect on Jones.

One thing, though. There are no drums on this album, and don't expect another 'Performance and Cocktails.' This is completely different. This is simply Kelly Jones, an electric guitar and some occasional string sections.

The opener, 'Suzy', is a six-minute, slow-moving, hazy ballad. 'Bye, bye, little Suzy, don't think that I used ya,' Jones croaks in part of the chorus. A lovely track, entwined with soft rock, and strings in places. Nothing explosive, but nothing on this album is. A solid 8/10.

Track two, 'Rosie', is a four-minute, slow burner. Like 'Suzy', it's hazy, and somewhat atmospheric. Soft rock and strings complement this track as well. It's a lovely melody, sweeps gently throughout. 'Oh Rosie, I thank you again,' Jones croons. Merits 9/10.

Track three, 'Liberty', is again very soft, and subtle. Five minutes long, it's another hazy, dreamy tune. 'Liberty, won't you come with me?' Jones asks in this particular adventure. Nothing out of the ordinary here, just exactly the same- guitar and strings, and it's a beautiful partnership on this album. 8/10.

Track four, 'Katie', is one of the standout tracks on this album. This one is four minutes long. The songwriting is excellent throughout (and the rest of the album). 'Oh no, Katie, it's a shame on you,' Jones sings here. It doesn't explode as one might anticipate but keeps a steady pace throughout. A little bit dark at times, but very impressive. 10/10.

Track five, 'Violet', is two minutes long. A more driving riff, although it's a tender song in all its truth. The strings add a nice touch here and it's a nice halfway point if you like, although it isn't filler at all. 8/10.

Track six, 'Jayne', you will know if you've heard the 'Live From Dakota' CD by the 'Phonics. This is a five minute song, and follows the usual trend, which is, of course, simply an electric guitar and strings to complement Jones's voice. It labours slightly but there is no doubting the songwriting quality, the tune, and the vocal ability of Kelly. Could be a bit quicker, but that would be picky, so I'm giving it a 9 here.

Track seven, 'Misty', is the shortest track on the collection. At exactly 84 seconds long, it could be dismissed as filler. Slightly disappointing, as I could have seen so much more potential for this song. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, and so I can only give it a 6/10.

Track eight, 'Emily', in my opinion is the best song on the album, lyrically. It tells a story, and includes mystery, and lies, and basically everything goes wrong. The tune is a good one, hazy and dreamy, like most of the previous ones as well. It is slightly repetitive but an excellent effort. 8/10.

Track nine, 'Jean', in my opinion, is the best track on the album, musically. Better than 'Katie', and the best on the album. Again, like 'Violet', a more driving riff, and Kelly Jones unleashes his voice here, which is what we want to hear, as he has such a great voice. Undoubtedly 10/10.

Track ten, and the final track, 'Summer', is another dreamy, hazy track, harking back to how the album has been as a whole. It really is a perfect summer song- the name says it all. A great ending to an excellent album.

If I could compare this album to any other recent offering, I would have to think back to Foo Fighters' 'In Your Honour', the second, acoustic disc. Very similar, except that this is more chilled. I didn't think 35 minutes of songs would work without drums, but Kelly Jones has managed to do it. Yes, it is raw and it is patchy in places but such is Jones' ability to write great songs like these one forgets about the drums and can truly enjoy a great album. 9/10.