Jamie Scott and The Town release their debut album ‘Park Bench Theories’ through Polydor on September 3rd. In the current climate of singer/songwriters who busily plough the acoustic fields of popular music reawakened by the likes of Damien Rice and to a lesser degree populist folkies like James Morrison he is yet another name to add to the current crop.
What you have here is something that is undeniably sweetly produced and well arranged. The musicianship is tight with a light and summery feel that I suppose is apt now the sun has deigned to make an appearance. As a vocalist Jamie wanders into a light falsetto range and never really shows any evidence of struggle with the notes he aims for. In fact dare I say it but his vocalisations offer a more soulful tinge than some of his peers, particularly in evidence on tracks like ‘Changes’ and the upcoming single ‘When Will I See Your Face Again’. Sadly it’s his dogged professionalism that often mars this collection
There’s more than a hint of the formulaic to proceedings. Its incredibly predictable and for my money that defeats the objective of the genre which for me is often about wearing your heart on your sleeve in the rawest of fashions. Jamie alas wanders a little too far into safe territory for my liking.
Still as an album its not totally without merit, the loose extended jam on the track ‘Shadows’ for example did draw my attention back when it was starting to wander and made me contemplate the live possibilities of Scott and his cohorts. The same applies to the slow building drama of ‘Weeping Willow’ that again could become something to see in a live environment
I suspect this album will find its fans, and its radio friendly nature should have the Radio 2 brigade tapping their slippers comfortably enough along to its idle strummings. However on the flipside of this I suspect Jamie has arrived too late and will possibly be considered second division to those who have come before him. Perhaps for his next bite of the apple he should consider showing his teeth a little more.
