Album: James Blake
Year: 2011
Genre: Bon Iver gnawed on contemplatively by Burial
Label: R&S Records
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There's something immediately suspicious about an artist who covers Feist's "The Limit To Your Love" with an attempt at soulful sincerity. Perhaps it's simply due to the brilliance of the original, but it seems a task that's difficult to accomplish satisfactorily, much less with graceful aplomb. Feist's delicate vocals flutter soulfully in ways seemingly unapproachable by anyone other than a trained vocalist with a natural set of chops to boot. Covering the song to pay homage to its sentiment is one thing, but working earnestly to make it one's own is the business of the best. It's a good thing, then, that 22 year-old James Blake has proven himself over the course of two EPs to be one of the best up-and-coming young artists in London. Aside from boasting a voice as naturally soulful as they come, Blake also graduated from London's prestigious Goldsmith's with a degree in popular music studies. It is the combination of these two skills that ultimately allows Blake to approach a song like "Limit" with a sincerity that doesn't come across as forced or hollow. The result is a beautiful rendition of the song that both honors the original and showcases Blake's brilliance.
The album is lovely because Blake's voice and pristine production allow for the coming together of seemingly disparate genres of music in an unexpectedly fresh way. This collection of introspective soul and love songs crooned atop sparse piano has been submerged in Blake's love and knowledge of popular music--Justin Vernon's (aka Bon Iver) vocal work, Burial's dubstep production, and Blake's own accenting piano create something that is ultimately larger than the sum of its parts. It never feels like Blake's influences have taken away from his originality or thoughtfulness. And while traditional song structures are often broken down beyond recognition, weaving in and out among tapping clicks, hazy synths, and layered vocal repetitions, Blake leaves just enough room to breath and just the right amount of unspoiled vocal beauty to keep you wanting more throughout. If there truly is a limit, I've yet to find it.
-February 10, 2011
Tracklist:
Unluck
Wilhelms Scream
I Never Learnt To Share
Lindesfarne I
Lindesfarn II
Limit To Your Love
Give Me My Month
To Care (Like You)
Why Don't You Call Me
I Mind
Measurements
James Blake - Limit To Your Love by TheDropFather
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