NEWS

Losing Today review Jamie Clements EP

Posted: 27/07/2005

Jamie Clements ‘Sleep Creases’ (Backwater). Damn those dudes at Backwater HQ they’ve only gone and done it again, not content with scaring us witless with their last release, the colossal soundscapes of the mighty Future Kings of England they about turn from the epic to the frail for this the debut release by Jamie Clements, and a corker it is to. Now if I tell you that the similarities to a certain Daniel Johnston are not only limited to the sound but also to the art work that adorns this release then you’ll know exactly from what direction this nimble four tracker comes and at this juncture can I be allowed to say that it’s a thing to warm the cockles of the heart to know that out there somewhere amid the go-getting rat race culture that there are still kindred souls idly lazing in an idyllic picturesque spot wide open to natures blossoming elements writing and composing odes for their own amusement secretly hoping that others will be entranced by their simplistic beauty. On the surface Clements work displays all the childlike characteristics of a less wayward Mr Johnston but scratch softly and the very essence of Drake (especially on the arresting Gaelic folk of ‘A small black sock’), Loudon Wainwright III (‘A silver wrapper’) and Denver come to pass, unfussy, uncomplicated and tantalisingly tranquil the tumbling chords gently wax and wane as Clements take you by the hand along the village green foot paths of his minds eye. www.backwaterrecords.com