Album Review

PJP Band – And So It Goes

• 6th Mar 2013

Plymouth based trio PJP Band have been making waves as a powerful live band with their keyboard driven pop rock sound. Their debut album And So It Goes has already picked up some good reviews, so I was very interested to hear it. And while it perhaps doesn’t live up to the “next big thing” tag, it is a decent debut from a talented young group.

PJP Band is Patrick James Pearson (keyboards and vocals), Mike Osborne (bass and vocals) and Tim Langsford (drums). They have a massive sound for a three piece, the keyboards mainly a rhythm instrument in the way that a guitar would be in other bands. Pearson’s voice is deep and powerful, the kind of vocals that make every line sound portentous. And the rhythm section adds an energetic base for him to build on. The overall effect is of a souped up eighties sounding rock band with grungy songs that have big anthemic choruses, although they do become rather repetitive in places.

Current single I Am A Racer stands out, building from a big bass line with fast paced lyrics and a simple beat. A keyboard melody gives it colour as the bass continues to rumble behind the vocals, the short lines spat out with real feeling. Another good track Stone Cold Cinema sees Pearson sing a slow lament over a steady organ sound and he produces his best vocal performance of the album, voice even yet emotional.

The slower Sweet Tokyo shows a more melodic side to the band, the organ sound again backing the vocals nicely. A strange spoken word section in the middle rather spoils the passionate air, but it does build again nicely afterwards. Longtiime Runner is livened by a good trumpet solo, the more rock sounding Chalk Divide by some rare guitar. The closing slow piano led Embraceher is a decent song, even if it sounds a little out of place on this album.

The rest of the twelve track album (plus a 45 second introductory rant) rather merges together into a series of loud and defiant yet unremarkable songs. Plenty of energy and touches of drama here and there, but ultimately unremarkable.

PJP Band have an interesting sound, different to many rock acts. Being keyboard rather than guitar based certainly works for them, and in Paddy Pearson they have a lead singer with a fine voice. There are some good tracks on this album, and there is clearly plenty to build upon for a band that is gaining a good reputation.

Venue: And So It Goes
Support Band: Ouf Records