Music Review // James Keith "I Call It Magic When I'm with You"

  When James Keith begins this new album, there are definite guitar twangs which make me think this is country music.  Even more to that extent, the first song- "Life Is Good Today"- sings about "shooting whiskey and playing a country song", which I feel makes it fairly obvious.  Though there remain undertones of country music throughout the album, the vibe also shifts to rock n roll with elements of pop.  James Keith is that type of musician who could really nail a cover of "Life is a Highway" based on these songs.

There is an undeniable energy on "I Call It Magic When I'm with You" and songs like "Alive" can feel catchy in the chorus.   When the song starts with synths and feels more minimal it kicks into that country-twang of a chorus, but it just also feels like Blue October in the verses.  This expansion of sound comes through on "Cruel Game" as well, which can feel somewhat country because of the context of the album but if you heard this song as a single you might think of James Keith as being more like Bruce Springsteen or John Mellencamp.

Along with the title itself, the first song does sing the title of "Life Is Good Today".   "Best Part of My Day" is also very upbeat and "Cruel Game" sings the title of the album, as well as the lines "I'm nothing without you".  If you think of country music in a traditional sense, there are usally lyrics in a sad and more mundane sort of way.  James Keith seems to also break that stereotype of country music as this album is as diverse musically as it is lyrically, though overall it carries a message of positivity.

Even if you are one of those people who doesn't like to listen to country music because you're just against an entire genre for whatever reason, there is really something for everyone on this album.  At least one of these songs should appeal to you right away, but then as you hear the others and begin piecing the album together, it all sort of makes sense and you begin to hear the bigger picture.  James Keith has created a sound that can largely be described as country to lure people in, but once you are experiencing it you will come to realize it as being so much more.