Albums to watch

Kings And Queens

Jamie T

Kings And Queens

Hip hop, folk and electronica on the follow up to his Mercury-nominated debut from the London rapper

ADM rating[?]

7.6

Label
Virgin
UK Release date
07/09/2009
  1. 10.0 |   Observer Music Monthly

    This is a great state-of-the-city album, in the tradition of Something Else by the Kinks, Parklife and, of course, London Calling, which effortlessly taps into that alienated young male desire for a riot of one's own while acknowledging that, when it comes, you'd prefer to be in a drinking den with the cruel girl of your dreams
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  2. 10.0 |   The Irish Times

    What pours out is not just one of the albums of the year, but a new career high for Jamie T and an album that will surprise as much as it will thrill.
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  3. 10.0 |   Evening Standard

    Perhaps it's all that listening to Bob Dylan, whom he claims to have “discovered” while writing this album… Whatever his inspiration, it's worked: witty, gritty and well worth the wait, Kings & Queens is a crowning success
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  4. 9.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Kings and Queens is a resounding success. Okay, maybe it's a tried and true formula that Jamie T and Ben Bones have created, but their textured, layered songs each have something new to offer upon every listen
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  5. 8.0 |   Daily Telegraph

    His lyrics are flowing, funny and insightful but, crucially, underpinned by rich melodiousness
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  6. 8.0 |   The Observer

    Kings and Queens is a return to what he does best - a rumbustious rattle through London life, relayed through his singular medley of Brit-hop and punk
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  7. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    Guitars figure significantly across the album... there's a good deal less hip-hop this time. What has survived, though, is Treays's minutely detailed, articulate vignettes, which justify claims that he's an urban poet to rival Mike Skinner
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  8. 8.0 |   The List

    Kings and Queens mixes polished, thought-provoking ballads with ska-inspired raps about life on the streets of London
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  9. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Print edition only

  10. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Print edition only

  11. 8.0 |   Q

    Print edition only

  12. 7.0 |   God Is In The TV

    Overall a very convincing follow-up, packed with brilliant tracks and brilliant lyrics that are worthy of severable enjoyable listens
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  13. 7.0 |   NME

    ‘Kings & Queens’ isn’t without it’s duds – ‘British Intelligence’ aims for The Jam but ends up closer to Kaiser Chiefs; ‘Earth Wind & Fire’ is funk with no soul – and while Jamie T remains something of a flawed hero, he’s the type you just want to get behind
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  14. 6.0 |   The Independent

    It's a far cry from Panic Prevention, though the impression is of a talented artist feverishly pushing feelers in all directions, rather than someone who has a firm grasp on the future of rock'n'roll (whatever that might be)
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  15. 6.0 |   The Quietus

    There's a talented songwriter waiting to emerge from behind the laddish bravado, but until then, most of the material on Kings & Queens will grate far more than it gratifies.
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  16. 6.0 |   The Times

    Where once he relied on an acoustic bass to pick out his melodies, new songs such as Jilly Armeen and Emily’s Heart feature acoustic guitars, ukeleles and whatever else can be found amid the debris of his tiny studio
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  17. 6.0 |   The Scotsman

    It sounds like Mike Skinner is still something of an influential older brother on a couple of tracks which team his conversational, observation rhyming style with a catchy singalong chorus
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  18. 4.0 |   PopMatters

    True, Treay’s got an ear for melody, but that doesn’t make him the saviour of songwriting the British press has occasionally claimed him to be
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Jamie T: Kings And Queens

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  • 1. 368 N/A
  • 2. Hocus Pocus N/A
  • 3. Sticks 'n' Stones N/A
  • 4. The Man's Machine N/A
  • 5. Emily's Heart N/A
  • 6. Chaka Demus N/A
  • 7. Spider's Web N/A
  • 8. Castro Dies N/A
  • 9. Earth, Wind & Fire N/A
  • 10. British Intelligence N/A
  • 11. Jilly Armeen N/A
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