The Night Before (James album)

After a six-year-long break up, James reunited in 2007 and released their 10th studio album Hey Ma in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-mn0000112185/biography|title=James {{!}} Biography & History|publisher=AllMusic|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|accessdate=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505055900/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-mn0000112185/biography|archive-date=5 May 2019|url-status=live}} Critics viewed it as a return-to-form for the band; they wanted to experiment and take risks for its follow-up. At the end of the year, Booth said the band had 50–60 songs ready for their next album.{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2008/12/08/hey-ma-james-are-back-in-town/|title=Hey ma, James are back in town|work=Express and Star|author=Harvey, Ian|date=8 December 2008|accessdate=30 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523095331/https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2008/12/08/hey-ma-james-are-back-in-town/|archive-date=23 May 2018|url-status=live}} The members would record 30-minute long improvisations, and each would be uploaded to a FTP server. The members could download and work on it at home. They would either continue one of the members' ideas or work on new parts around it. Booth said this methodology was likely inspired by working with Brian Eno, which they had done for nine-to-ten years.

The process lasted for three months; after that, Lee Muddy Baker edited it all together.{{cite web|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/james_before_and_after_an_interview_with_tim_booth/|title=Before and After: An Interview with Tim Booth|work=Under the Radar|author=Valish, Frank|date=2 February 2011|accessdate=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026041433/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/james_before_and_after_an_interview_with_tim_booth/|archive-date=26 October 2019|url-status=live}} Despite the members living in separate locations, Booth said it wasn't due to the convenience of it, but as a manner to keep their creative activity fresh: "We were brainstorming. We're always looking for things to throw us off track."{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/134366-none-of-it-seems-real-an-interview-with-tim-booth-of-james-2496102565.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529151405/https://www.popmatters.com/134366-none-of-it-seems-real-an-interview-with-tim-booth-of-james-2496102565.html|title=None of It Seems Real: An Interview with Tim Booth of James|work=PopMatters|author=Franco, Michael|date=20 February 2011|archivedate=29 May 2020|accessdate=29 May 2020}} Producer credit was split between Baker and the band. Jonathon Shakhovskay mixed the recordings in The Engine Room at Miloco Studios in January 2010, with assistance from engineer Bryan Wilson. Geoff Pesche then mastered them at Abbey Road Studios.{{cite web|url=https://milocostudios.com/releases/the-night-before/|title=James - The Night Before|publisher=Miloco Studios|accessdate=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200529130328/https://milocostudios.com/releases/the-night-before/|archive-date=29 May 2020|url-status=live}}

Musically, The Night Before has been described as power pop and space rock, with up-tempo, happy tracks.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/james-the-morning-after|title=James - The Morning After|work=musicOMH|author=Dowden, Neil|date=6 September 2010|accessdate=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426112433/http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/james-the-morning-after|archive-date=26 April 2013|url-status=live}} Some parts of the release saw the band re-tread the same ground as before, with loud aggressive guitars and distorted vocals parts from Booth. Other sections featured Booth unaltered vocals over electronic backgrounds or echo-affected guitar work. "It's Hot" is a keyboard-led track with synthesized-beats and electronic sounds, and was compared to Joy Division. Discussing "Crazy", Booth said he was suffering with liver disease in his teenage years and would hallucinate because of it; the song was reminiscent of the work of U2.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8620716.stm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418220448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8620716.stm|title=Talking Shop: James singer Tim Booth|publisher=BBC News|author=Youngs, Ian|date=15 April 2010|archivedate=18 April 2010|accessdate=29 May 2020}} "Ten Below" sees Booth reflect on listening to John Peel's radio show while enduring education in a Welsh boarding school.{{cite web|url=https://wearejames.com/music/the-night-before/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716193350/https://wearejames.com/music/the-night-before/|title=The Night Before|publisher=James|archivedate=16 July 2016|accessdate=28 May 2020}}

"Porcupine" discusses self-defence; Booth seeing himself as the animal of the same name, against a skunk. The slide guitar recalled the dream pop sound of Cocteau Twins and U2 guitarist The Edge. "Shine" is a mid-tempo track that criticizes rich people, and was also compared to U2. "Dr Hellier" talks about the Iraq War and the film Fantastic Voyage (1966). It incorporated basslines in the vein of New Order. Booth wrote it after having shoulder operation with a James Bond-esque doctor.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RealTimBooth/status/841546008840495105|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218205811/https://twitter.com/RealTimBooth/status/841546008840495105|title=Tim Booth on Twitter: 'Written after a Hi- tech shoulder operation conducted...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Booth, Tim|author-link=Tim Booth|date=14 March 2017|archivedate=18 December 2020|accessdate=18 December 2020|url-status=live}} "All My Letters" was written after Booth was featured on The Jonathan Ross Show alongside Will Smith and Jay-Z; it talks about the cost of fame.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RealTimBooth/status/1202517056643420165|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218210152/https://twitter.com/RealTimBooth/status/1202517056643420165|title=Tim Booth on Twitter: 'Wrote the lyric to "All my letters" after appearing...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Booth, Tim|date=5 December 2019|archivedate=18 December 2020|accessdate=18 December 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RealTimBooth/status/1202515578407149569|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218210159/https://twitter.com/RealTimBooth/status/1202515578407149569|title=Tim Booth on Twitter: 'The price of fame'|publisher=Twitter|author=Booth, Tim|date=5 December 2019|archivedate=18 December 2020|accessdate=18 December 2020|url-status=live}} The closing song, "Hero", evokes the gospel blues and electronic sound of Cold War Kids.{{cite web|url=https://www.qromag.com/james_the_morning_after_the_night_before/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723200802/https://www.qromag.com/james_the_morning_after_the_night_before/ |title=James : The Morning After The Night Before|publisher=QRO|author=Chase, Ted|date=8 October 2010|archivedate=23 July 2021|accessdate=3 August 2022}}

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-night-before-mw0001983331|title=The Night Before - James {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505055921/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-night-before-mw0001983331|archive-date=5 May 2019|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = Daily Record

| rev3score = 3/5{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/music/music-reviews/other-albums-april-23-1056980|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529151430/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/music/music-reviews/other-albums-april-23-1056980|title=Other albums: April 23|work=Daily Record|date=23 April 2016|archivedate=29 May 2020|accessdate=29 May 2020}}

| rev4 = DIY

| rev4score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/archive/james-the-night-before|title=James - The Night Before|work=DIY|author=White, Lee|date=5 May 2010|accessdate=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028094014/http://diymag.com/archive/james-the-night-before|archive-date=28 October 2019|url-status=live}}

| rev5 = The Guardian

| rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/apr/15/james-night-before-cd-review|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017203932/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/apr/15/james-night-before-cd-review|title=James: The Night Before|journal=The Guardian|author=Simpson, Dave|date=15 April 2010|archivedate=17 October 2015|accessdate=29 May 2020}}

| rev7 = musicOMH

| rev7score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/james-the-night-before|title=James - The Night Before|work=musicOMH|author=Dowden, Neil|date=19 April 2010|accessdate=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426104427/http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/james-the-night-before|archive-date=26 April 2013|url-status=live}}

| rev8 = PopMatters

| rev8score = {{rating|7|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/125161-james-the-night-before/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526160130/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/125161-james-the-night-before/|title=James: The Night Before EP|work=PopMatters|author=Garratt, John|date=23 May 2010|archivedate=26 May 2010|accessdate=29 May 2020}}

| rev9 = The Times

| rev9score = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite journal|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/james-the-night-before-3vfdckwnpqh|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200529085954/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/james-the-night-before-3vfdckwnpqh|title=James: The Night Before|journal=The Times|author=Cairns, Dan|date=18 April 2010|archive-date=29 May 2020|access-date=29 May 2020|url-status=live}}

}}

On 30 November 2009, the band announced they would be releasing two mini-albums in 2010, with the first The Night Before planned for released in April 2010.{{cite web|url=https://wearejames.com/news/page/36/|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200528124310/https://wearejames.com/news/page/36/|title=News (page 36)|publisher=James|archivedate=28 May 2020|accessdate=29 May 2020|url-status=live}} On 16 March 2010, the track listing for the album was revealed.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/james-11-1295914|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529151450/https://www.nme.com/news/music/james-11-1295914|title=James announce new album tracklisting and release date|work=NME|author=Adshead, Adam|date=16 March 2010|archivedate=29 May 2020|accessdate=29 May 2020}} In April 2010, the band embarked on The Mirrorball Tour in the United Kingdom,{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/james-10-1305106|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529151521/https://www.nme.com/news/music/james-10-1305106|title=James announce UK tour and ticket details|work=NME|author=Fullerton, Jamie|date=1 December 2009|archivedate=29 May 2020|accessdate=29 May 2020}} with support from James Walsh and Unkle Bob. The Night Before was made available for streaming through The Independent{{'s}} website, before being released on 19 April 2010.{{cite web|url=https://wearejames.com/news/page/35/|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200528123744/https://wearejames.com/news/page/35/|title=News (page 35)|publisher=James|archivedate=28 May 2020|accessdate=29 May 2020|url-status=live}} The iTunes version included "All My Letters" as a bonus track.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-night-before/1443712337|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20200529075324/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-night-before/1443712337|title=The Night Before by James|publisher=iTunes Store|archivedate=29 May 2020|accessdate=29 May 2020|url-status=live}} Deciding to release a mini album, Booth reasoned that attention spans were getting shorter, and that with the dominance of iTunes, people weren't listening to full albums any more. To promote the album's release, the band performed a series of radio sessions. The Night Before reached number 20 on the UK album chart. "All My Letters" was later included on the career-spanning box set The Gathering Sound (2012).{{cite AV media notes|title=The Gathering Sound|others=James|year=2012|type=booklet|publisher=Universal/Mercury Records|id=2753129}}

The Night Before received generally positive reviews from music critics. The Guardian critic Dave Simpsons said it was "one of the strongest efforts of their career". PopMatters writer John Garratt said it showcased the band's ability for "big songs, even if they are for a small album". DIY contributor Lee White viewed it as "a tight and taught little collection" with "absolutely zero filler". AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the "propulsive and seductive" nature of the release "grabs upon its initial listen". The Line of Best Fit{{'s}} Andy Johnson was impressed with the manner that the band "are able to carry off the weighty themes", while being able to "still turn the whole cocktail into such a readily listenable and digestible package".{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/james-the-night-before-27128|title=James - The Night Before|work=The Line of Best Fit|author=Johnson, Andy|date=16 April 2010|accessdate=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719040007/http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/james-the-night-before-27128|archive-date=19 July 2014|url-status=live}}

In a brief review, Daily Record said it "include[d] potential new favourites such as Porcupine and Ten Below". Neil Dowden of musicOMH said it would be "welcomed by James fans", though it would be unlikely to "make new converts". BBC Music's Tom Hocknell criticised its short length, finding the "constituent pieces failing to fully gel". While noting they were an impressive live act, the live energy "is often lacking here".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/3bx2|title=James The Night Before Review|publisher=BBC Music|author=Hocknell, Tom|accessdate=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109105943/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/3bx2|archive-date=9 January 2016|url-status=live}} The Times writer Dan Cairns remarked the band as coming across as a "Runrig/Deacon Blue with a new-age gloss," becoming "their own tribute band, James live to blight another day".

All words by Tim Booth, all tracks written by Booth, Larry Gott, Jim Glennie.

1. "It's Hot" – 3:26
2. "Crazy" – 3:39
3. "Ten Below" – 4:03
4. "Porcupine" – 4:27
5. "Shine" – 4:18
6. "Dr Hellier" – 4:46
7. "Hero" – 4:33

iTunes bonus track

8. "All My Letters" – 3:07

Personnel per booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=The Night Before|others=James|year=2010|type=booklet|publisher=Mercury Records|id=2730015}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

James

• Tim Booth{{spaced ndash}}lead vocals
• Jim Glennie{{spaced ndash}}bass guitar
• Larry Gott{{spaced ndash}}guitar
• Saul Davies{{spaced ndash}}guitar, violin
• Mark Hunter{{spaced ndash}}keyboards
• David Baynton-Power{{spaced ndash}}drums
• Andy Diagram{{spaced ndash}}trumpet

{{col-2}}

Production

• Lee Muddy Baker{{spaced ndash}}producer
• James{{spaced ndash}}producer
• Jonathon Shakhovskay{{spaced ndash}}mixing
• Bryan Wilson{{spaced ndash}}assistant mix engineer
• Geoff Pesche{{spaced ndash}}mastering
• Adam Rix{{spaced ndash}}design, art direction
• The Neighbourhood{{spaced ndash}}illustration

{{col-end}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mGO8B0p6-16RyAlE_93mdF-IS8V8PnFIY The Night Before] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)

{{James (band)}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Night Before}}

Category:James (band) albums

Category:2010 albums

Category:Mercury Records albums

Category:Power pop albums by English artists

Category:Space rock albums