Ceri James

If this song was any catchier you would be forced into buying a muzzle to prevent yourself from uncontrollably bursting into the chorus at random intervals throughout the day.

At times sounding like the crazed love child of wacko American 'rock 'n' roll' band, Electric Six, and Japanese 'surf' three-piece, The 5.6.7.8's, it's no surprise that this musical melange will entice you out of your armchair and onto the virtual dancefloor in the living room.

However, to prevent the funky, Bee Gees-esque ryhthms from enticing you to hang a disco ball from the ceiling and dress up in an afro wig and glittery jumpsuit, the vocals are slightly more 'down to earth' in order to keep the balance right. And the contrast works perfectly – a definite winner.

By Devon Bianchi
- Noizemakesenemies.co.uk

The wonder is that "Start And Begin" is a scrappily good album and anyone who started buying records in the early eighties will spot the influences like The Specials, Aztec Camera, Lloyd Cole and others too cool for pop, but catchy enough kind of stuff. We particularly like the sneering despair of "I've Seen The Devil", a wandering stroll through lazy bass, piano breakdowns a la "Aladdin Sane" and stuttering guitar breaks, neat is the word, top marks for "For The Loss Of A Friend" as well, a multi layered muscle of acoustic guitars that shifts gears with the ease of true americana-pop. - Unpeeled

The South London troubadour's debut album is a rollercoaster journey of emotions. The fuzz toned title track's deep bass lines and crying guitar solos spin through a tale of the trials and tribulations of love. With its sing-along chorus it slips effortlessly into the gentle acoustic theatrics of 'I've Seen The Devil' – love, loss and pornography see him sink down into emotional lows.

The melancholic 'Deptford Broadway' is one of the standout tracks on the album. With a distinct 60s vibe to it, the harmonies and melodies swoon in and out of the poppy guitar lines and reflective lyrics, making Deptford Broadway sound like Venice Beach. Wearing his heart on his sleeve he poetically declares his love on 'Without My Girl' whilst the upbeat stomp of 'Rose of My Life' provides the necessary crunching riffs to get things going.

Ceri James is a songwriter whose heartfelt lyrics are born from the highs that life brings and the depths you can sink to. This album is his diary to the world and he's leaving it out for you to read.
- Godisinthetv