The Ballad of Jim McGhee is the lead single by bravo charlio, taken from The Ballad of Jim McGhee EP. Opening the EP, it sets the tone by somehow exuding both an infectious liveliness and mind-bending, hazy soundscapes.
Let’s start at the beginning…the guitar riff. A recurring theme throughout, it repeats and pulls you in with a warm sense of familiarity. This riff is a surfy, mesmeric hook brimming with ska energy, reminiscent of The Dead 60s. Beneath it, a booming bassline and dynamic drums roll along, crafting a new wave foundation that pays homage to a bygone era.
At the mention of ska, you might assume The Ballad of Jim McGhee is just another Specials-inspired track. Far from it! The swirling spacey synths adorn the track with otherworldly emotions. Meanwhile, the vocals carry a blend of Dave Gahan’s brooding menace and Ian Brown’s effortless cool.
All in all, The Ballad of Jim McGhee is an enticing amalgamation of influences. It sounds like Duran Duran being bullied by Gang of Four into making an indie post-punk record—and that’s an inventive mix we can definitely get behind.
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