James Iha – Look To The Sky

I think we’re still a long way ago from reading the first article about James Iha in which the words ‘Smashing’ and ‘Pumpkins’ are not mentioned. So yes, James Iha is best known as the guitarist for Smashing Pumpkins, but since then he has also played with A Perfect Circle, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Fountains Of Wayne and The Sounds. Boom! That’s quite the resume… And on top of that “Look To The Sky” is the good man’s second solo album after 1998’s “Let It Come Down”… yeah, that’s 14 years ago.

Nothing is worth waiting for fourteen years, but “Look To The Sky” is nonetheless a pretty solid collection of songs that sometimes hints towards Fountains Of Wayne and Nada Surf (“To Who Knows Where”, “Summer Days”) but that can just as well take a turn for the bluesy (“Appetite”) or the more gloomy (bonus track “Dark Star”). No matter which path Iha decides to follow, the songs are pleasant enough to listen to. The only downside is the guy’s voice which seems devoid of any human emotion. It’s one of those things that doesn’t really bother you though… unless you start paying attention to it.

Something else worth noting is the amount of guests… Ihad had more people contribute to this album than I had attending my last birthday party. Which may say something about me but that’s not the point of this review. See if you can spot Tom Verlaine (Television), Mike Garson (David Bowie), Nick Zinner and Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Nathan Larson and Nina Persson (A Camp), Sara Quin (Tegan & Sara), Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne)… and that’s just naming a few!
Score: 7.5 out of 10
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http://www.jamesiha.com