
Time
Out New York - "Brooklyn singer-songwriter Darrin James
touches on Robbie Robertson’s gruff soulfulness, Tom
Waits’ vaudevillian menace and Paul
Westerberg’s ramshackle charm in the bluesy rockers on
his debut album, Thrones of Gold. James has a knack for
perceptive lyrics and memorable tunes; his crack band
supplies the laid-back grooves."
Blog
Critics - "Its literate lyrics and subject matter are a
big part of why Thrones of Gold stands as one of the best
indie productions of the year so far." - Jon Sobel
The
Deli Magazine - "The man's got Joe Henry versatility, a
crackerjack studio band, and a great sense of craft... from a
Lovett/Waits blues into a John Prine diatribe then rocketing
off with an Elvis Costello pop gem. The record was made with
a lineup featuring seriously tasty musicians making notable
decisions that allow Darrin’s throaty vocals to take
the foreground. It’s got it all. " - Walt Wells
Honest
Tune Magazine - One track. That’s all it takes to
make Darrin James' latest effort worth the entire album. The
opening track on his Thrones of Gold,
“Trivial,” with all its reckless abandon and
rock and roll energy - think The Gourds meet The Faces - is
more than worth the price of admission. In this day and age
where rock and roll has fallen prey to oh so many gimmicks,
its nice to have just one real, raw, rock song.Darrin James
does this in just one tune, then shifts gears a number of
times... making Thrones one darn fine record." - Chase
Farmer
Americana
UK - An intriguing debut for his own record
label...Initial listens to this album indicated a blues
leaning. His voice is gruff and rough and suited to the delta
blues or jazz but this cd is far more than that." - Phil
Edwards
Cowboy
Trance Blog - The DJB sounds so completely authentic and
true to its voice that it almost feels cleansing, and makes
you wonder why in the hell great songs like these aren't
everywhere, drowning out the vapid clowns that pollute the
genre. The debut album, Thrones of Gold, doesn't sound at all
like a debut, but rather like a sharp, soulful, and rocking
veteran that Darrin James will surely become."
Pace University Press - "Born to sing the blues, Darrin
James tears at the soul...There's an uncanny, effortless
authenticity to it that is aloof and genius at the same time.
The Brooklyn-based musician has a certain weary, detached air
about him, as if he barely realizes the scope of his words
and music while executing them in untroubled fluency. Despite
such ease in his music, every song is tinged with raw
emotion...undeniable talent and originality." - Julyssa
Lopez
Dissolver
Magazine - Thrones of Gold, the debut from the Darrin
James Band, is a strong disk the whole way through,
incorporating an inspiring variety of musical styles and
lyrical themes. With a rugged voice and virtuoso guitar
skills, James and his band make the most of his well-written
songs." -Jon Gorey
Smother
Magazine - "Sort of a mix between Springsteen and Neil
Young, they're a rock format that’s highly engaging
and completely exhilarating. Vocally it’s throaty and
raw but manages to convey a perfect sense of melody. Highly
enjoyable and I would most certainly recommend it." - By
J-Sin
Isthmus Daily Pages: " Bluesy New York singer-singwriter
Darrin James strolls down the same back alleys and dusty
country higways that inspired Springsteen and Dylan."
Soul of
Rock n' Roll Blog "grooving rock and roll, country
flavor, and earthy blues with a soulful style."
Indie
A'na Jones Blog - "The earthy roots rock that
characterizes James’s music has the quality of
something real and something tangible.... Thrones of Gold, blends
country and soul. Conjuring the heartland - let’s call
it Americana, let’s call it music for the everyday
blue-collar man (or woman) – his course vocals and
folky twang are a force to be reckoned with."
BabySue
Magazine (May 2007) - "If you're in the market for some
good, hummable music that touches on real human
topics...Thrones of Gold just may end up being your favorite
album of the year."
Da
Blues (Dutch - May
2007) - "distinctive rock with refreshing and emotional
lyrics."
International
Songwriting Competition (2007) - The song Thrones of
Gold, was a semi-finalist in the folk category at the
International Song
American
Songwriter Magazine (Nov/Dec 2006) - The song Thrones
of Gold, won 3rd place in a Lyric Writing Contest from
American Songwriter Magazine. The lyrics appeared in the
Nov/Dec 2006 issue.
International
Songwriting Competition (2006) - The song Had Enough
of Me, was a semi-finalist in the jazz category at the
International Songwriting Competition (ISC).
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