Review - Imajim - We Are Speakers

Imajim - We Are Speakers

View The Review

3 out of 10

A strange concept, this EP - decked out like an old blonde cabinet with the band members' faces where the speakers would go, then photos of the same on the CD with speakers instead of mouths. Unfortunately, that's as surreal as things get. The music is another triumph of hype's hope over actuality, with Radiohead, Queens of the Stone Age and Jim Morrison comparisons falling quite laughably short. The only thing vocalist Jim Connnelly has in common with Morrison is his first name, although he can hold a note, thank goodness.

There is none of the pioneering of Radiohead, nor the punch of QOTSA. During their acoustic moments on Proximo Now and the title track, Imajim come across as a Verve / Coldplay hybrid. Nobody needs one of them, even if it is warmed in the Spanish sun. Thunked Up offers something a bit more interesting, channelling the spirit of Gene with its pseudo-Country rhythms and strings. The Iberian influence permeates throughout, with Santana guitars and a pleasant afternoon-sun vibe - even the didgeridoo fails to puncture this, although it is barely audible. Overall, however, I can only think that the oomph the band purports to have appears in their live shows - it certainly ain't on record.

Listen: www.myspace.com/imajim

Tracklist:
1. Aqualuna
2. Proximo Now
3. Thunked Up
4. We Are Speakers