Artist: Jim Kroft
Title: The Hermit & The Hedonist
Genre: Indie Rock
Release Date: 21st October 2011
Label: R.D.S.
Album Review
JIM KROFT swapped London for Berlin, got involved in the art scene over there and got his music out live before bringing out his first album ‘Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’, fuelled by its reception he’s bringing out the follow-up effort ‘The Hermit & The Hedonist’, said to be inspired by RADIOHEAD’s ‘In Rainbows’ album and ‘Urban Myths’ by THE VERVE. It’s also said to have 60’s atmosphere and the remark doesn’t come amiss here, some of the songs certainly feel like music infused with the sensibilities of that time. I’m not too big a fan of that era’s music; it has a certain feeling of something drab and futile, and something like Sunday afternoon for my tastes. KROFT bridges those sensibilities though with more modern trends, an approach that makes it a winner for those like me, who aren’t too keen on it for whatever personal taste’s reason, and for those who do really love the 60’s and want to hear something genuinely creative coming out from it into nowadays.
‘The Jailer’ was a single and it’s quite obvious why it was chosen. It’s a catchy song, a dancy one, Kroft’s vocal shines out here and it stands out as one of defining songs. Of course ‘Memoirs From The Afterlife’ that opens it is another one, but it just didn’t hit the target as much with me. ‘If I’m Born Too Late’ is another great song, something nostalgic and wistful here, the guitar is more in the forefront grabbing more attention than before. More or less you can quite relax with the songs that follow. Another element of what stood out to me were the lyrics, they’re well written and keep one on with it, one of the best examples is another good song out of here ‘Canary In The Coalmine’. It’s not just an interesting song from the lyrical point of view; Kroft again convinces you he’s a good singer and that if you could go see him live, you should. Brief summary for the end: a good album, one I liked more than I expected.
Tracklist
01. Memoirs From The Afterlife – 3.36
02. Modern Monk – 4.54
03. The Jailer – 3.38
04. If I’m Born Too Late – 3.11
05. Waiting For a Healin’ – 4.07
06. Ulysses – 4.37
07. Canary In The Coalmine – 3.40
08. Bleeding Into Bohemia – 3.03
09. Haiku – 3.24
10. Daylight – 3.25
11. Morning Breaks – 4.15
Line-up
Jim Kroft
Websites
http://jimkroft.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/jimkroft / https://www.facebook.com/Jimkroft
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Total: 7.5 / 10
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