James brings new style to musicians' futures

By Joey Vergara

Published Sept. 25, 2007

As often goes with band breakups, Q and Not U's split in 2005 gave fans three new bands, each formed by the members who essentially took a part of the original band's sound, to attach themselves to.

Chris Richards, who went solo under the moniker Ris Paul Ric, creates low-key experimental jams reminiscent of his old band's most tranquil moments. Harris Klahr, also known as President, took the solo route as well but continues the dance-orientated fun -of Q and Not U's swansong, Power.

Stepping away from Q and Not U's more aggressive tendencies, drummer John Davis combined forces with fellow D.C.-musician Laura Burhenn to create Georgie James — the ideal blend of classic rock and pop.

Georgie James' debut full-length album, Places, begins strong with "Look Me Up," and it rarely loses its '60s-pop-driven energy. Davis, who plays most of the bass, guitars and drums on the record, proves himself an extremely talented musician outside the boundaries of being a drummer for a post-punk band.

The guitars on the opener alternate between twisting along to Davis' rapid melody and making the choruses enormous. Rhythmically, the bass is lithe, and the drums are just plain loud.

The great thing about Places is that it's really difficult to divide it along any sort of lines since Davis and Burhenn do a great job of maintaining a solid sound throughout. Davis' songs don't detract any from Burhenn's or vice versa, as can happen when two excellent musicians come together for a new project. They unite on the relaxed "Henry and Hanzy" but sound just as remarkable when split, like on Davis' "Hard Feelings" or Burhenn's "Cheap Champagne."

"Cake Parade" and "Long Week" bring Burhenn's brilliant piano playing and voice to focus. "Cake Parade," a love song disguised by political overtones, shimmers with the swagger of The Beach Boys and the cheeriness of Weezer, while the latter song, for obvious reasons, channels Billy Joel.

After playing together for so long, Georgie James has altered the older songs found online months ago into new shapes. "Need Your Needs" is even more rounded out with falsetto harmonies, the clatter of a tambourine and a charming Wurlitzer addition.

On the album's title track, Georgie James has one of its finest moments. The funky "Places" is the sonic equivalent of the band's name, chosen to represent an androgynous glam-rock maestro. The song itself is catchy, danceable and rock-driven all at once.

The weakest point of the album — and it's really more of a minute slump than any sort of major letdown — stands out when things slow down on "You Can Have It."

The band's spunk is really one of its major strengths. Without it, its songs sound pretty mediocre.

Case in point: "Only 'Cause You're Young." Putting aside the somewhat ridiculous lyrics, the song's rollicking, spontaneous feel, created primarily through piano runs and crashing drums, ends the album as it begins: poppy, hopeful and full of life.

Even though the pop of the past is long gone, Georgie James is doing its best to keep the spirit alive. Places promises even better things to come from this new, but extremely well-versed, group.