We love songs that mean something. Don’t get us wrong, we love silly music that’s supposed to mean nothing – it’s fun, and there’s nothing wrong with it. However, every now and then an album will come along that’s so full of the memories of a smart, experienced and gifted songwriter that it’s impossible not to fall in love with it. James Younger’s Feelin’ Americana is one of those albums – it’s packed full of songs that tell stories, as well as telling the tales of the conversations that Younger had during time spent hitchhiking across America.
Although the majority of these songs are inspired by Younger’s adventures across America, the songs generally stay true to Younger’s British roots. This is especially true of opener Monday Morning – it’s a happy-go-lucky little tune that owes a little bit to the sound of The Kooks’ She Moves In Her Own Way, and it’s all the better for it. Younger switches between the sounds of British indie and American rock, creating a mash-up of two genres that works surprisingly well together. Two Of A Kind is a prime example of this – the two contrasting genres slot together to create one of the most upbeat tunes on the album, and it’s suprising how well they work together. It’s bound to become a favourite for fans of James Younger.
What Comes After the Weekend is one of Younger’s finest moments. Again, it harks back to his English roots, with the new-wave Indie sound that was made popular by the likes of The Wombats and Razorlight being pushed to the forefront. It’s easy to see from this single track that Younger will be remembered for his pure songwriting versatility – yes, he can write songs about freedom and ‘living the dream’, but he’s also got the ability to pen fantastically captivating indie-rock songs that grip the listener within the first couple of minutes.
It’s hard to fault Feelin’ Americana. James Younger is clearly a talented songwriter, and his sheer versatility is something that’s rarely seen in today’s occasionally monotonic musical culture. This album is definitely worth a listen – check it out.
