Stutter (album)

Reception and legacy

The album initially received positive responses in the UK and Germany where it was voted second best album of the year by writers (and 16th by readers) of the influential indie magazine Spex. AllMusic called it "Thin, spiky, jagged folk music" and commented on the performances by the band: "Tim Booth is a mere bystander to his wild vocals while the rest of the band watch Gavan Whelan have an absolute fit on — what sounds like — four drum kits at once. This is shoddy, shameless chaos. Nothing more than a terribly produced mess of tragic rock-star baiting and deliberate discordance. An amazing debut."

The Guardian listed Stutter as one of the "1001 Albums to Hear Before You Die", praising the record thus: "Before Madchester, and before the Horlicks rock of "Sit Down" became ubiquitous, James were an invigorating prospect: a folk-pop band apparently engaged in a bout of pro-wrestling with their instruments. Their debut album clangs like a grand piano tumbling downstairs - leaving singalong melodies in its wake."

Track listing

All songs written by James.

1. "Skullduggery" – 2:43
2. "Scarecrow" – 3:00
3. "So Many Ways" – 3:46
4. "Just Hip" – 1:46
5. "Johnny Yen" – 3:41
6. "Summer Song" – 4:16
7. "Really Hard" – 4:13
8. "Billy's Shirts" – 3:27
9. "Why So Close" – 3:48
10. "Withdrawn" – 3:42
11. "Black Hole" – 5:29

Note: The song "Stutter", later released on the live album One Man Clapping, had already been performed live by the time of recording, but was not included on this, or any other, studio album by James.

Release details