Album Review

Jamie Lenman – Muscle Memory

• 4th Nov 2013

Fifteen years on from his teenage band’s inception and Reuben’s mastermind Jamie Lenman has become something of a cult figure amongst the current generation of UK rock musicians and fans alike. Swatting away questions of a Reuben reunion left, right and centre, the alternative community collectively lost their shit when he took to the internet last month to announce the release of his brand new solo album ‘Muscle Memory’ alongside some UK tour dates to give the songs an official airing. The plot thickened when it was revealed that not only was there a new full length from Lenman, but it would be a 2 disc release split into a heavy album and a light album and believe us, the heavy album is heavy.

‘Muscle Memory’ reeks of talent and integrity, a breath of fresh air for a stale and sterilised UK music scene

Opening with the sledgehammer pairing of ‘The Six Fingered Hand’ and ‘Fizzy Blood’, Mr. Lenman gets straight to work in dispelling any rumours of his demise – indeed, they have been greatly exaggerated. The eccentric gent proves himself to be back on absolutely devastating form as discordant guitars smash through thick walls of cymbals and jackhammer drumming across these short, sharp stabbing opening tracks. The off-the-wall time signatures and musical disparities of Reuben are still there, but there’s a definitely feeling that a retrained creativity has been let off the chain that his former band mates had him staked to, resulting in some gloriously nutty and venomous compositions. The heavier material makes a distinct and deliberate move away from melody and is more reminiscent of the jolted, electro-shock therapy of Hawk Eyes and The Chariot – ‘No News Is Good News’ takes things down a notch into a sludgy, doom-laden stomper which explodes gloriously into the thrash-jazz-terror of ‘One Of My Eyes Is A Clock’. Influences from Lenman’s wide-ranging musical tastes creep into the new material at exciting and interesting angles – incorporating the overwhelming intensity of black metal lurking ominously in the background throughout, to the towering Southern Rock riffage that crashes between the off-kilter time signatures and paper-shredder vocals.

This is the release of the year from a UK artist.

By contrast, the second half of the album opens with the 1920’s ukulele swing of ‘Shotgun House’ which showcases Lenman’s talent for conceptual pop song writing and scene-setting, practically radiating an earthy authenticity with an almost frustratingly blasé nonchalance. The toned down approach suits his writing style and the selection of instruments and tones in this latter section lend themselves to the sort of melancholic Americana that makes ‘For God’s Sake’ a heart-breaking low key modern masterpiece. It just goes to prove that genre is irrelevant, bands cannot be constrained or pigeon holed and artists should strive to break free of conventions and expectations wherever possible – Lenman turns his masterful hand to such a wide variety of styles and approaches to song writing throughout the album that it frankly shames almost all-comers. Bit of swing jazz? Reel your way through the big band delight of ‘Pretty Please’. Fancy a hoe-down? Yep, there’s one of those too – the sublimely constructed ‘If You Have To Ask You’ll Never Know’. There is literally no end to this guy’s talent.

There’s often a very good reason that musical figures assume cult status. In this case, it becomes clear that Jamie Lenman is not your typical rock star and song writer. He’s personable, intelligent, vulnerable, highly creative and unafraid of experimentation for the sake of his art. ‘Muscle Memory’ reeks of talent and integrity, a breath of fresh air for a stale and sterilised UK music scene and a fresh lesson for a new generation on originality, talent and passion from a veteran performer with an apparently never-ending well of inspiration, creativity and heart-rending passion. This is the release of the year from a UK artist.

Venue: Muscle Memory
Support Band: Xtra Mile