Album Review: Jason James - Cut The Chain

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On Jason James’ third album, CUT THE CHAIN, characters lament, ache, want to stay, want to leave or at times are just totally mixed up. Either way it’s a country crooning cracker putting sad songs at the heart of the writing. Throw in a rich voice, acres of fiddle, steel, piano and electric guitar and the result is a ten-track emotional rollercoaster. Built for the barroom, dance floor and staring forlornly into a whiskey glass, this album doesn’t attempt any redefinition, just plying a route of plain revivalism. Anybody with a nous for the epitome of ‘three chords and the truth’ will find solace in this archetype collection.


Texas-based James has sought overseas attention with previous releases, notably 2019s SEEMS LIKE TEARS AGO, and landing in the right sphere will enlist admirers for this effort. The title track doubles up as the album opener with ‘Cut the Chain’ portraying the quintessential break up song to a tee. Maybe cutting the chain was the right thing to do when listening to the second track ‘Another Day in Nightmare’ where James sings of ‘a world where dreams don’t come true’. You have to admire his honesty. 


Minor regrets pop up in ‘One More Cry’ where taking back is briefly considered. The pace suddenly picks up in ‘Honky Tonks in Mind’, a ravenous offering of foot tapping-boot shuffling splendour. The peak of the album comes at the half way point where an attractive melody and instant appeal bedecks the cleverly written ‘A Heart That Cries’.


There is a slight change of tact as we turn the corner with ‘As Long As I Have You Hold’ adding the odd positive vibe into the mix. Soon it’s back to the heartbreak with a strong yearning in ‘To Have Loved and Lost’. 


Things are starting to get serious in ‘She’s Gone Again’, surely therapy is required. Big decisions are set to be made in ‘Tonight I’m Steppin' Out’. The uptempo feel suggests a brief respite from eventual heartbreak. All bets are off in the final track where 'I Can’t Get Used to Getting Over You’ suggests no end in sight either way.


These relationship songs are obviously from a male perspective. It would be interesting to view things from a different angle. One person’s heartache is another’s joy. 


CUT THE CHAIN is a quick skirt around the dance floor of country melancholy. Jason James leaves implicitness and subtlety on the shelf, parading a straight down the middle unmistakeable style. Its simplicity is a winner and serves the preservation movement well. 


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