Jim Adkins (Union Chapel, 5.9.15)
When I bought the ticket for this, seeing another show at Union Chapel was almost as large an attraction of seeing Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World play solo for the first time. It's an aesthetically beautiful venue with a uniquely intimate atmosphere that's perfect for acoustic acts.
Jodie Marie opens the show with only an electric piano for company. She possesses a captivating soulful voice and her 30 minute set breezes by. I sense that certain songs in her set probably have a greater impact in their full band arrangements, but the 24 year old demonstrates great potential here.
Jim Adkins' set can be split into three categories: songs he has recently recorded as a solo artist, cover tracks and stripped back cuts from Jimmy Eat World's back catalogue. He opens with "Love Don't Wait" (from the first category), which feels a little pedestrian for my taste. Later on, the energetic "Hell" proves more promising. To date, he's only released a handful of tracks as a solo artist and I need more time to listen before making a judgement.
The covers are a mixed bag. "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" seems perfunctory when put aside his own work, dispensing with the elongated notes that characterise Cyndi Lauper's version. A Daniel Johnston cover also leave me cold. But a Magnetic Fields song seems more suited to Adkins skill set, whilst a version of "Only Girl In The World" is an unexpected delight, bringing a real intensity to Rihanna's lyrics.
The third category is where the set really shines. The life affirming "Chase This Light" is sandwiched between two of JEW's finest efforts, "Just Watch The Fireworks" and "For Me, This Is Heaven". Adkins plays the three together without interruption and rightfully receives raptuous applause at the conclusion. Their most recent record "Damage" was considered by most fans to be their worst to date, but some of those tracks appear to have been rehabilitated in this solo set. In particular, the mournful "You Were Good" feels suffocated by production on record but excels here.
The set ends strongly with a salvo of three of JEW's more recognisable, upbeat tracks including the rousing "Big Casino" and "The Authority Song" which brings a small singalong out of an otherwise respectfully quiet crowd. I hope Adkins doesn't give up his day job with his rock and roll band just yet, but his first solo London show was undoubtedly a success.
Jodie Marie opens the show with only an electric piano for company. She possesses a captivating soulful voice and her 30 minute set breezes by. I sense that certain songs in her set probably have a greater impact in their full band arrangements, but the 24 year old demonstrates great potential here.
Jim Adkins' set can be split into three categories: songs he has recently recorded as a solo artist, cover tracks and stripped back cuts from Jimmy Eat World's back catalogue. He opens with "Love Don't Wait" (from the first category), which feels a little pedestrian for my taste. Later on, the energetic "Hell" proves more promising. To date, he's only released a handful of tracks as a solo artist and I need more time to listen before making a judgement.
The covers are a mixed bag. "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" seems perfunctory when put aside his own work, dispensing with the elongated notes that characterise Cyndi Lauper's version. A Daniel Johnston cover also leave me cold. But a Magnetic Fields song seems more suited to Adkins skill set, whilst a version of "Only Girl In The World" is an unexpected delight, bringing a real intensity to Rihanna's lyrics.
The third category is where the set really shines. The life affirming "Chase This Light" is sandwiched between two of JEW's finest efforts, "Just Watch The Fireworks" and "For Me, This Is Heaven". Adkins plays the three together without interruption and rightfully receives raptuous applause at the conclusion. Their most recent record "Damage" was considered by most fans to be their worst to date, but some of those tracks appear to have been rehabilitated in this solo set. In particular, the mournful "You Were Good" feels suffocated by production on record but excels here.
The set ends strongly with a salvo of three of JEW's more recognisable, upbeat tracks including the rousing "Big Casino" and "The Authority Song" which brings a small singalong out of an otherwise respectfully quiet crowd. I hope Adkins doesn't give up his day job with his rock and roll band just yet, but his first solo London show was undoubtedly a success.
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