Album Notes

Well it's finally here Ed James new cd "BIG TIME".With all the melody one could ask for .Ed James is a melodic guitar pop god.His hooky songs are catchy as a cold ,the kind you never want to get over.The harmonies and the melodies and guitar playing will make you jump with joy...
10/05/04


2004 release from this long time favorite of NOT LAME!This is a collection of songs recorded during POPROCKET and after and a few before,that he is bringing together now(thanks Ed).Classic influences abound.Part powerpop with harmonic shades of Jellyfish and the playfullness of XTC and more.Always chippy,happy and bouncy and,most importantly,harmony-drenched.James is faultless in his archetype mining of classic hook-magic.Think a lot of things: Adam Schmitt,Candy,Owsley,The Rubinoos (a LOT of noos!)Rick Springfield,Material Issue,Styx(the good stuff)The Flashcubes,The Toms.The 14 songs here are short and sweet,catchy as the flu and refreshing as a lemonade stand
on a hot summer's day.No brainer.
Extremely Highly Recommended ...
Bruce Brodeen ,Not Lame Recordings 10/15/04


Let's get one thing straight right off the bat...Ed James is the total package; a singer/songwriter,and performer that grows leaps and bounds with each new release! His latest,"BIG TIME" leads off with the killer track "You And Whose Army",that is why we made it "Single Of The Week" AT POPBANG RADIO.This cd will appeal big time to fans of Nick Gilder,The States(remember them?)and The Rubinoos,as well as the fans of huge hooks and harmonies.A very welcome return to the scene from one of the top acts in power pop today!Great stuff without question!

POPBANG RADIO, 10/27/04
POPBANG.COM


On his latest and best,Ed takes you on a musical history tour of 70's-90's NEW WAVE/POWER POP with a cache of top-notch songs that bring to mind Bryan Adams,Styx,The Cars,Ambrosia,The Rubinoos,Jellyfish(albeit all too briefly)- and that's only through the first seven songs!You get the idea!As usual the playing is tight and crisp with plenty of crunchy guitars to go around!

Ray Gianchetti
KOOL KAT MUSIK
11/01/04

Talented indie artist Ed James serves up a generous amount of primo pop tunes on his latest disc,Big Time. James is a pop chameleon: he can emulate the Beatles,The Who or any pop artist with ease - and he masters the sound of The Cars on "Shiver And Shake"."Best Laid Plans" and "Don't Follow Me" should appeal to jangle candy enthusiasts...

Eric Sorensen
Fufkin.com
11/04/04

Jaimie Vernon,head honcho of Bullseye Records pointed out on the Audities List that much of the new Ed James cd "Big Time" released on Jealousy Records sounded like Styx--and hey ,Jaimie was right! And no thats not a bad thing! Especially on dynamic tracks like "Don't Follow Me","Emily","Best Laid Plans","Black & White" and "Give Me A Reason".Ed James uncannily evokes Dennis De Young and ably reminds all why Styx was a household name once upon a time.A classic rock edge sharpens James natural melodic strengths to considerable effect.The rest of Big Time is more quintessential powerpop- The Cars' tribute that is "Shiver & Shake",the self explanatory "Ode To A Jellyfish",the edgy new wave "Too Cool For School" the breezy "Summer Song" and the like.I think the tagline goes -something for everyone!

Kevin Mathews
nightimes.com
12/04/04


Loud ,Fast & Fun

Big Time,the latest release from Ed James,blasts off with the in-your-face rocker "You & Whose Army" and keeps rocking from there.If you are a fan of The Beatles,Styx, Cars,Jellyfish you will surely enjoy Big Time.With "Summer Song" James paints a bright and beautiful landscape with harmonies and a brilliant mix of acoustic and light electric guitar sounds.This the perfect summer.You do not improve upon this.A great surprise on Big Time is the re-working of "Emily".The song originally appeared on his earlier cd Poprocket as a Beatles meet Styx type rocker.According to the liner notes on Big Time the arrangement here is the original.The lush strings and keyboard add a touch of tenderness to the story,and it makes the song just that much better."Rudy" is another strong track.The percussion in the intro alone are worth repeated listenings.James' vocals are as stong as ever.This might be the cd's stongest track.Other highlights include Th Cars flavoured "Shiver& Shake" .The slow and groovy "Smoke & Mirrors" and the 80's pop-rock "Best Laid Plans"Throw Big Time into your cd player and let Ed James rock his way into your heart.

Adam Waltemire
adamwaltemire.com
12/08/04