WOKE CHIMP
https://www.wokechimp.com/music/tim-james-with-very-special-guests-the-special-guests
FEATURED RELEASE
Tim James with Very Special Guests invites listeners to an eclectic musical adventure in the new album, The Special Guests. Spanning across 11 tracks, the album is a masterclass in versatility, transcending the confines of a single genre. Each song features a unique blend of elements, perfectly encapsulating the essence of Tim James’ artistic versatility.Delve into the album’s rich diversity with tracks like House Full of Brothers, where melodic guitar riffs pair with and emotive vocal performance, creating a captivating auditory experience. Then, let the smooth vibes of Clumsy capture your attention with its memorable melody lingering long after the song ends. And don’t miss Smoke & Mirrors, a showcase of creative vocal layering alongside authentically crafted lyrics.The album’s production is a testament to the careful craftsmanship behind every track, balancing intricate instrumentation with impactful vocal performances. It’s a collection of songs that resonates with both long-time fans of Tim James and newcomers to his music, offering something for everyone. Follow Tim James on social media for the latest updates on releases and performances, and immerse yourself in an album that redefines the boundaries of genre and creativity.
BEACH SLOTH
https://www.tumblr.com/beachsloth/745048370647891968/tim-james-with-very-special-guests-the-special
A compassionate, intimate folk sensibility adorns “The Special Guests” as Tim James with very Special Guests, goes for a fully immersive swirl of sound that surrounds the listener. Melodies have an ancient quality, emphasized by the tactile arrangements and unique instrument choices. Lyrics embrace poetry, ensuring that every element feels undeniably full of life. Interplay amongst the band solidifies this approach, allowing a grandeur to adorn the entire album. Best of all, the songs build upon each other, resulting in the spirit of a larger journey of true self-discovery. Word choice adds to this reflective stance as he carefully sculpts the narratives.“Wunderkind” opens the album up with a fantastic burst of sunshine, setting the tone for the rest of the experience. Spaciousness in “Early Days” feels perfectly soaked in a strong brew of nostalgia, as the looking back aspect is prominent. The stately touches reverberate into a vast space on “3rd Degree Burns.” Fantastic lyricism adorns the special spirit of “Jeddi” with the evolution of the song giving it a chamber pop perfection. On “Clumsy” a languid tempo takes over, neatly accompanying the theme of the track. Electronic elements anchor the pristine crystal clarity of “Undone” complete with gorgeous keyboard work. Careful and considered “One Last Try” features a pining attitude for something better. Limber guitar work brings things to a close on “Smoke and Mirrors.”Tim James with very Special Guests opts for an expansive, wide-ranging sound on the soothing, heartfelt ode of “The Special Guests.”
DAILY MUSIC ROLL
https://www.dailymusicroll.com/entertainment/listen-to-tim-james-latest-album-the-special-guests.html
‘The Special Guests’ by Tim James has been released recently and making a buzz among listeners. His unique approach has startled everyone right after the release.
Tim James, the prolific artist is mesmerizing all the listeners with his captivating pieces of music. His exceptional musical work has garnered many listeners from all around the world. It is the attractive tune and lyricism that has added a whole new charm to his work. This independent artist has showcased his talent by creating music on his own. And that is why, he has gotten the opportunity to reach out to the maximum number of music enthusiasts. Recently this artist has come up with an album ‘The Special Guests’, which is getting much appreciation from all. This artist likes to experiment with his creations and for that reason, each of his creations is much different. From this album, he has offered two songs along with music videos. The videos of ‘Clumsy’ and ‘House Full of Brothers’ are quite diverse and unique. Tim James has given a lot of songs through ‘The Special Guests’. Some of his outstanding works are ‘Wunderkind’, ‘Speak With Me’, ‘Early Days’, and ‘3rd Degree Burns’. His soundscapes are available on the music streaming platform YouTube in the name of Tim James Tunes. Other than that, one can also know about his work on Instagram and his official website.
CROOKED FOREST
https://crookedforest.ca/2024/03/24/introducing-tim-james-and-the-very-special-guests/
From Edmonton, Alberta, musician-songwriter (a distinction they make, not us!) Tim James LaRiviere has certainly been making his way around the globe in unique ways, from performing at festivals and events to working out of the industry’s most iconic recording studios like Abbey Road (that’s the one) and Steve Vai’s Mothership Studio’s and the Red Room in France, he’s sure to have gained a diverse look at the ins and outs of the recording world and met some interesting characters, so it’s not surprising to think that he might have developed a distinctive voice for his own music.
Sitting on my desktop this morning is a copy of Tim James new album The Special Guests which carries with it a level of collaboration that is largely unparalleled by most modern recording artists. The album is a collection of songs that while writing by Tim are not sung by him (hence that earlier distinction) and in addition to vocalist Von Bieker feature other very special talents; Lyle Molzan, Cynthia Hamar, Christian Mena, and Phoenix Bermudez.
What makes this project of Tim’s so intriguing is that this collaborative nature is entirely by design. Speaking to the idea, he explains, “On any given record or at any given concert, The Special Guests may be a completely different lineup from the last iteration.”
When we often think about modern bands or artists, we become accustomed to seeing the same faces performing with whomever has taken on the lead of the project and so this intentional approach to the Special Guests makes this project particularly… well, special.
While I was pretty sure that the production on The Special Guests was sure to be pristine and polished given James’ lengthy background in the art of recording, the songwriting across The Special Guests is the icing on each arrangement which can otherwise safely be described as ‘top notch’.
“Early Days” would rival Ryan Adams best work while “3rd Degree Burns” settles somewhere into a more folk-country take on U2’s atmospheric style. “House Full of Brothers” meanwhile lays the kick into the floor and showcases James and the bands ability to craft a steady anthemic climb in a way that feels as powerful as the lyrics that accompany it.
It’s just country enough that it wouldn’t feel at all out of place on Nashville’s Lower Broadway but it weaves in pop and alt-rock elements like pulsating synth work in such a way that after a night of bar hopping the strip, you’d come away remembering this band as the one that wasn’t afraid to hop just ever so outside of the typical boxes.
Sliding “Ping Ping” in just ahead of Clumsy is full of the kind of production whimsy that separated great alt-rock bands of the 90’s from being lumped in or mistaken for their label mates and genre-sharing counterparts.
“Undone” is arguably the highlight track with the way it further blends electronic and synth elements into the alt-folk vibe of the record into a beautiful 80’s-rock inspired ballad.
All in, The Special Guests is an alluring listen and given the nature of the project I’d be curious to hear the album both in a live setting with the current line-up and however it gets molded over time. When the songwriting and the talent is this good, you can’t really go wrong with it.
Listen to Tim James With the Very Special Guests on YouTube or their website and be sure to check out their social media channels to find out when new music drops.
DANCING ABOUT ARCHITECTURE
I’m a great believer in collaboration, cross-pollination, the mixing and matching and melding and merging that comes from artists working together to bring the best out of each other. After all, one person’s musical vision remains, just that, a singular idea of who they are and what they sound like. Work with others to explore the space and who knows what those people draw out of each other? What sounds and ideas might otherwise have remained hidden in the dark and delicious corners of the musical soul?
That is the premise behind Tim James’s latest album. As the title suggests, this is more than just a Tim James album, which in itself is cause enough for celebration, but an album that takes his music to new heights through collaborations and creative crossings with Von Bieker, Lyle Molzan, Cynthia Hamar, Christian Mena, and Phoenix Bermudez.
The results are a brilliant array of songs that are more than the sum of their parts; that’s the whole point, after all. A deft collection of folk-infused songs that wander between alt-rockscapes and pastures pop, indie cool and alt-country licks, between the melodic and the more muscular, between the more graceful and the groove orientated.
It is a charming collection of songs and proof, if indeed proof were ever needed, that there is safety in numbers, a safety that ironically allows you to take risks and venture into the unknown.
SKOPE MAGAZINE
https://skopemag.com/2024/03/16/tim-james-with-very-special-guests-presents-the-special-guests
Tim James calls his group Special Guests because its lineup can change from project to project. However, no matter who might be around him, James consistently sings heartfelt songs, like the eleven found on the appropriately titled, The Special Guests.
James many times sounds heartbroken while singing this set of songs. Perhaps no more so than during one titled “Undone.” On a track that begins with electric piano, before electric guitar chords take a turn, James sings these tragic opening lines: “We had sky high expectations as we said our vows/You let me down, you let me down.” In just a few short sentences, he sums up a disappointing marriage. It’s not poetic; it’s blunt and to the point. James knows he shouldn’t be verbose because what he is expressing is a simple, sad truth.
“Undone” certainly contrasts markedly with opener “Wunderkind.” This midtempo song, which has an open, echoey arrangement finds James singing the words, “I found my home” In this case, James sings about the warmth, beauty and grace of love. He vocalizes about many of the attributes missing from “Undone.” Sometimes, it’s the disappointments of life that help us see and better understand our victories. This is seemingly the case with juxtaposition of these two album recordings. Then with “Early Days,” James sings about experiencing “love at first sight,” which highlights the positives in a romance.
While relatively standard rock tracks mostly drive this album’s selections, it’s easy to appreciate the eastern sounding acoustic guitar that propels “Speak With Me.” It has the feel of one of the more acoustic Led Zeppelin songs. Many know Led Zeppelin for that band’s pioneering metal songs, but it also had a pronounced gentle side, too. James fills this one with plenty of soft string sounds that just sound so good. Speaking of eastern sounds, “Jeddi” begins with percussion sounds that will remind you of the music of India.
Although much of this album concerns itself with romantic issues – both good and bad – “House Full of Brothers” salutes friendship. Brothers can mean the brotherly love men can feel when around their male friends, but this song sounds as though it could also be about actual blood brothers. It’s a joyous ode to the staying power of friendship. The track’s arrangement incorporates a little touch of guitar jangle, which sounds especially nice.
ONLINE:
https://timjamestunes.com/ https://instagram.com/timjamestunes
Tim James writes and sings emotionally charged songs consistently on “The Special Guests.” Best of all, though, these are also quite good songs. One is left feeling like he put a lot of thought into the creation of these songs. It’s like when you know you have a big upcoming conversation, where you’ll need to choose your words wisely. Similarly, James selected his words smartly when writing these songs because he wanted to get his ideas just right. This album is relatively quiet, from start to finish, because James wants to make sure we hear all of his words. He put so much thought into them, and it shows.