Matty James - The Road To No Town (2015)

Genre - Rock / Rock N Roll

Label - Pledge Music / Pirate Heart Recordings

Track listing:

01 - The Road To No Town

02 - Sticks & Stones

03 - Heavy Heart

04 - Oh My Darlin'

05 - Win Or Lose

06 - Gunpowder

07 - Money & The Devil

08 - Hold On

09 - Dissatisfied

10 - Cut With Dust

In similar style that of a certain Dog's D' Amour front man Tyla J Pallas, Matty James delivers his sophomore album in the form of the rather excellent 'The Road To No Town'. With  'The Road To No Town,’ Matty James is building upon an acclaimed debut and showcases just how he is developing as both a performer and more importantly as a songwriter. The album opens with a the foot stomping title track, 'The Road To No Town' before launching into the albums lead single, the defiant 'Stick's & Stones'. Next we have the 50's rock n roll inspired 'Heavy Heart', one of the albums many highlights in my honest opinion. 'Oh My Darlin'' follows which is another beautiful acoustic driven track with an old time rock n' roll, even rockabilly feel to it. 'Win or Lose' come next and is another highlight of the album, purely because of its pure uncomplicated simplicity. 'Gunpowder' increases the tempo a little with its more Celtic folk feel, a really great song. 'Money & The Devil' follows, this time bringing a slightly more sinister if not over dark feel to it, like an old time Chicago gangsta soundtrack, another great song. 'Hold On' is up next, with its acoustic driven ballad feel to it. A really good song. 'Dissatisfied' is a nice up tempo track that leads nicely into what is most definitely the albums crowning glory, its closing track, 'Cut With Dust', which is just a brilliant song, as simple as that.

'The Road To No Town' is a terrific album from an uber talented singer songwriter in the shape of Matty James, perfect for those times when you just want to wind down a little and listen to some soothing music that you know comes straight from the soul!

Very Highly Recommended!

Rating - 10/10

Matty James - Last One To Die (2014)

Genre - Melodic Rock / Punk / Americana / Acoustic / Blues

Label - Pirate Heart Records

Track listing:

01 - Leaving

02 - Up In Smoke

03 - Don’t Turn Your Light Out On Me

04 - Never Learn

05 - Same Old Me (Brand New You)

06 - Last One To Die (feat. Tyla J. Pallas)

07 - By The Cold Light Of Night

08 - Better Days

09 - Another Night

10 - This One’s For

Born in Ireland, MATTY JAMES has a punk background on various bands, but he has never stood still and evolved into a talented multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter. Since stepping out as a solo artist in 2012, Matty James has released two EPs and toured relentlessly in support of his craft.
"Last One To Die" is his electrifying full length debut album and boasts everything from melodic rock and bluesy rock n' roll to Americana fused ballads.

With the exception of some contributions from friends like Tyla J. Pallas of The Dogs D'amour fame, James wrote every song, played most every instrument and also co-produced.

'm not sure if 'eclectic' is the right word for the songs within as there seems that common theme of James and guitar, whether electric or acoustic. His whiskey soaked voice set against an acoustic strum creates a signature sound that draws listeners in from the off.

Opener "Leavin" is a slow building rip snorter rockin' ride with a spaghetti western vibe, guaranteed to kick any hangover into the middle of next month and a track which very much sets the contextual scene for the rest of the album.

One of my favourites is "Same Old Me (Brand New You)" which definitely would give the Quireboys a run for their money in terms of its middle-finger devil may care attitude. 

The title track sees a typically swaggering appearance from the one and only Tyla J Pallas with a really good vocal arrangement, while we find a touch of English blues on "Don't Turn Your Light Out On Me".

There's an Americana quality to several songs like the delicate acoustic ballad "This Ones For", or "The Cold Light of Night", where the song is definitely driven by the vocal arrangement and acoustic riffs. You get more of an acoustic side to this motif with "Never Learn" with its light harmonica. 

Then, James can get more rambunctious, dosing songs with a rock and roll blood within the jumpin' "Up In Smoke" and the melodic "Better Days".

Right from the off this full length debut solo offering from Matty James is a truly enjoyable record, delivering pile drivers and blindside sucker punches in every single department. "Last One To Die" is pure, honest-to-goodness rawk rock 'n' roll delivered with passion, spirit and a genuine love for the music.

Very, very highly recommended!

Rating 10/10

Official website here