James Ray and The Performance & Gangwar: Best Of
- Mexico Sundown Blues
- Texas
- Mountain Voices (Remix)
- Dust Boat
- Edie Sedgwick
- Rev Rev Lowrider
- Heart Surgery
- 35 Thousand Times
- Badlands
- Hardwar
- Cadillac Coming
- Bad Gin
- Santa Susanna
- Coo Ca Choo
I'm still at odds over whither or not the concept of a gothic electro band with
country overtones that James Ray exhibits is successful. On one side, the music
is a re-release of two older albums from 1986-89 so the material naturally
sounds dated to some extent. On the other is the fact that the music is
entirely electronic and five of the tracks were produced in part by Andrew
Eldritch of Sisters of Mercy. The majority of the tracks have a distinct
southwestern influence as is evident in the track titles and the lyrics.
Normally I'd find that a consummate detractor to any music I listen to but
since the vocals of James Ray are gothic to the core rather than a country
redneck twang it actually adds a great deal of down home atmosphere to the
music. However I tend to enjoy a little grit and modern angst in my music and
James Ray seems to be lacking in this arena. The music is by no means perky or
upbeat but rather morbidly drab. It is totally devoid of any vehement intensity
and instead relies on a solid laid back musical approach that works well for
the music.
James Ray and The Performance & Gangwar are:
James Ray - vocals
Damon Vingoe - bass
Travis Earl - guitars
J.B. Ridge - guitars
Contact:
Fifth Column Records
P.O. Box 787
Ben Franklin Station
Washington DC 20044
E-mail: fifthcolvmn@tunanet.com
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