This isn’t Alabama born James’ first stab at recording—he released an EP with his band The Latest a few years ago-but it’s his full length debut. Kudos to co-producer/Easy Eye Sound studio and label owner Dan Auerbach for plucking James out of obscurity and giving his limited commercial rootsy, bluesy folk and singer/songwriter fare a shot with the visibility Auerbach’s fame as Black Keys frontman provides.

James, known to his mom as Frederick James Mullis Jr., has arrived fully formed for his shot at the big time. He brandishes a distinctive voice employed in ten tunes with a slight retro vibe as they shift from Latin styled (“Gone as a Ghost”), late night, closing time noir (“Clockwork Town,” “It Doesn’t Matter Now”) and earthy blues with countrypolitan leanings (“Easter Eggs”). None of this sounds like anything you’ve heard in the past 30 years or so but neither is it particularly time-dated. His vocals are similar to those of E-Street Band and solo artist Nils Lofgren, yet there is little anyone would consider rock here. 

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