Village Fire is the third EP by

James James may refer to: People * James (given name) * James (surname) * James (musician), aka Faruq Mahfuz Anam James, (born 1964), Bollywood musician * James, brother of Jesus * King James (disambiguation), various kings named James * Prince Ja ...

, released in 1985 by

Factory Records Factory Records was a Manchester-based British independent record label founded in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus. The label featured several important acts on its roster, including Joy Division, New Order (band), New Order, A Certain Ra ...

. It contains all five tracks from their previously released EPs ''

Jimone ''Jimone'' was the first release by Mancunian band James, released in November 1983 by Factory Records. It contained three tracks that also later appeared on the band's '' Village Fire'' EP. Fire So Close being a slightly different mix from the ...

'' (side A) and '' James II'' (side B). The cover artwork was produced by John Carroll, whose childlike images were synonymous with much of the group's early work.

Reception

Barney Hoskyns Barney Hoskyns (born 5 May 1959) is a British music critic and editorial director of the online music journalism archive Rock's Backpages. Biography Hoskyns graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class degree in English. He began ...

of ''

Spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spin (physics) or particle spin, a fundamental property of elementary particles * Spin quantum number, a number which defines the value of a particle's spin * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thr ...

'' wrote, "An even more delicious assault on pop music than

the Smiths The Smiths were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, composed of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (musician), Mike Joyce (drums). Morrissey and Marr formed the band's songwrit ...

. The five songs are clean and clear, loose but supple, stemming from a basic

Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964. Its classic lineup consisted of singer and guitarist Lou Reed, Welsh multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and percussionist Moe Tuc ...

germ and stripped of power-rock trappings. They are honest and cheerful and witty and involving."

Track listing

From ''

'': # "What's the World" – 1:55 # "Folklore" – 2:49 # "Fire So Close" – 1:45 From '' James II'': # "If Things Were Perfect" – 3:00 # "Hymn from a Village" – 2:51

Personnel

Tim Booth Timothy Booth (born 4 February 1960) is an English singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. He is the lead singer and co-founder of the indie rock band James, and co-wrote several of their hit singles including " Sit Down", " Come Home", and " La ...

- Vocals *

Jim Glennie James Patrick Glennie (born 10 October 1963) is the bassist for and eponym of English rock band James. He is the band's longest-serving member—having been there from the first line-up through to the present day—and now only remaining origin ...

- Bass guitar * Paul Gilbertson (Jimone) /

Larry Gott James Lawrence "Larry" Gott (born 24 July 1957, Manchester) is an English musician, formerly of the band James, originating from Manchester. He is also a designer. Music Within the band Gott mainly played guitar and provided backing vocals, b ...

(James II) - Lead guitar * Gavan Whelan - Drums

References

James (band) EPs 1985 EPs Factory Records EPs {{Ep-stub