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Stockton Rhythm

by James Blonde

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $4 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Produced by Eric Westphal and JustinPhelps

    Includes unlimited streaming of Stockton Rhythm via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      $5 USD or more 

     

1.
Abbey's Gone 04:05
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2.
On The Streets 03:48
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3.
El Dorado 05:02
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4.
Stain 04:54
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5.
Live It Up 03:11
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6.
New Wave 02:35
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7.
Peace 03:27
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8.
Baby Doesn't Think It's Wrong 03:02
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9.
Out Of My Mind 02:55
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10.
Stop Wasting Time 03:10
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11.
Water From My Eyes 05:04
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12.
All Night Long (Bonus Track) 02:38
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about

It had been almost a decade since the last James Blonde album, International Orange was released. Fans of The Producers, Hawks, The Sinceros and in a more modern reference, Ed James and the Tearaways connected hard with James Blonde. You will, also, find echoes of later-era Spongetones, The Flashtones and “Set To Pop” era Bill Lloyd too. It’s riffy, hook-laden, hard driving rhythmic bar pop that would easy to dismiss such present-day channeling if the songs were not so well crafted and refined through the fires of passion and unpretentiousness. This is the sound of the post new wave of the early 80’s updated for 2010 – so good, so catchy, an easy pleasure with not a duff, weak track.

About as fresh of a by gone sound in these modern times as a pop fan can or will find. Now, all these references make sense because the band existed in the early 80’s and went through the whole finding a record deal thing while they were based in San Francisco playing along-side The Eric Martin Band, Greg Kihn and Tommy Tutone. Each song takes the formula of pop and stretches it in cool, subtle ways that work, probably because the spirit of the band playing the material has been captured in the studio. James Blonde live and breathe some mighty find sounds and it’s all captured on this crisp and richly produced gem of an entertaining and enchanting record. Highly recommended!

Eric Westphal – Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar, Piano, & Backing Vocals, Joe Bettencourt – Acoustic, Electric, & Lead Guitars, Peter Hackett – Drums, Percussion, & Backing Vocals. Produced by Eric Westphal and Justin Phelps. Engineered by Justin Phelps and recorded at Hyde Street Studio’s San Francisco.

Special Guests
Matthew Hackett – Electric Guitar on ‘Live It Up’
Bill Cutler – Percussion on ‘New Wave’ & ‘Stop Wasting Time’
Matt Henry Cunitz – Pump Organ, Vako Orchestra (Cello & Flute), Korg Pol Ensemble, & Celeste on ‘Water From My Eyes’ Backing Vocals.

credits

released November 10, 2021

Produced by Eric Westphal & Justin Phelps

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James Blonde Stockton, California

Legacy power pop at its finest, the James Blonde Band dominated Northern California with carefully crafted 3-minute pop-rock songs, exacting, precise, and authentic live shows, and crisp, all original studio recordings. Highly aware of quality before quantity, this was a band that chose to under-release albums and has made only two long players to date, both available on IAC Records. ... more

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