James Elliot Rock God
Genre: Alt Rock, Glam Rock, Hair Metal, Rock'n'Roll
One of the most surprising comebacks of 2023 so far has been that of James Elliot. Originally formed in Brisbane in 1973 and fronted by lead singer/guitarist David DeWitt, they went on to win the Brisbane Battle Of The Bands in 1975 which got them a one-off deal with RCA Australia and resulted in the local hit "Space Demons", a piece of glam rock in the style of then labelmates David Bowie and The Sweet.
In 1977, they released a further single "Better Rock'n'Roll" before retiring in the face of punk, disco and new wave which had surpassed glam rock in the Top 40 pop charts.
Fast forward to 2020, after languishing in the rock'n'roll wilderness, DeWitt decided to revive his alter ego with a more harder and heavier rock sound but maintaining the camp theatrics which made the original band a success in the first instance.
Taking on a pickup band and producer, this album is one of the most fun and fresh that I've heard in a long time.
The album opens up with a re-recorded version of "Space Demons" still maintaining the glam boogie vibe of the original with harder guitar sounds. "Electric Man" blasts the band into 2023 with a catchy "Aye aye aye aye" chorus line which is up there with Violent Soho's "Hell fuck yeah!" from their main hit "Covered In Chrome". It tells the story about David being electrocuted on stage various times when he was doing gigs. Contains a good pumping guitar riff and some chinking riffs in the middle 8 part.
"I Am A Rock" is more towards the quirky arty side of glam rock like Roxy Music and Sparks, and like "Space Demons" has been given a C-21 remake (it was originally the B-side).
"Better Rock'n'Roll" is also a remake with the keyboards of the original scrapped for more frantic guitar playing and some tight power pop chords make this one of the most appealing songs on the album, an ode to youth hedonism of the 70's. "Somebody's Girl" is a more laid back rock ballad which wouldn't sound out of place in a beer garden, and a straightforward theme about unrequited love for a woman.
"Midnight Devil" is a bit more 60's rock in its delivery compared to the 70's vibe that this album is built around, but it's an enjoyable track nonetheless as well as "Not Welcome In My Head" (a contemporary social comment about mental illness which this modern world has become more aware of).
In all, it's an album that most rock'n'roll fans will take to instantly with plenty of hooks, distinctively camp vocals and solid beats. It's fun without being silly or overly tacky, but serious enough to be able to relate to what DeWitt's intentions of making this album was about.
4.5/5
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