Colin James
Colin James · 1988
40 min · 10 tracks · blues
A gritty blend of blues-infused rock with sharp guitar riffs and soulful vocals that capture the heart of 1980s Canadian music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Five Long Years — This track opens the album with a powerful narrative about longing and heartache, showcasing James's raw vocal delivery and mastery of blues guitar.
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Voodoo Thing — With its infectious groove and dynamic instrumentation, this song exemplifies James's ability to fuse traditional blues elements with a contemporary rock edge.
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Chicks ’n Cars (And the Third World War) — This track stands out for its humorous lyrics and catchy melody, reflecting a playful side of James while maintaining his blues roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong guitar work and varied vocal styles but lacks deep cohesion across its runtime.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving rhythm and prominent guitar riffs that set a high-energy tone for the first half.
- The vocal delivery varies between gritty and soulful, often switching between powerful choruses and more subdued verses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gritty storytelling with sharp riffs
- late-night drive energy
- sing-along choruses with friends
- cathartic release through soulful vocals
Maybe skip if you
- prefer polished production values
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Colin James released his self-titled debut album in 1988, positioning him as a rising star in the Canadian blues scene. This album followed his early performances at local venues and showcased his skillful guitar work and vocal prowess at a time when he was only in his mid-twenties.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Bonamassa· Keb' Mo'· Gary Clark Jr.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Five Long Years 4:38
- 2 Voodoo Thing 3:40
- 3 Down in the Bottom 4:37
- 4 Chicks ’n Cars (And the Third World War) 3:35
- 5 Why’d You Lie 5:28
- 6 Hidden Charms 3:27
- 7 Bad Girl 3:37
- 8 Lone Wolf 3:41
- 9 Dream of Satin 4:46
- 10 Three Sheets to the Wind 3:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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