Released 26th July - Praise and Blame is Tom Jones' triumphant return to the industry. Originally rejected by his new record label on the grounds of the shitness of the album's concept, Tommy boy went ahead and dropped it with someone else.
An album based around prayers set to music? Shit
An album showing off Jones' still powerful voice and unmistakable charm? Good
The calculator puts this album at average, however, my initial impressions place it a little better off. Imagine this as a late Johnny Cashesque summation of Tom Jones' presence on this planet - it's hugely self obsessed, with simple, strong drum beats and minimalistic musical backing, with the entire focus on the vocals. This would usually be an irritation, but Praise and Blame pulls it off; Jones is allowed to be self obsessed, purely from his lifetime achievement. Think non-racist, polite Kanye West in 30 years time.
This album represents the pinnacle of Jones' career, with this being his reflective attempt at laying bare as a human being in the eyes of the lord, and more importantly, us. Although plain and essentially boring initially, once you get into the album, setting aside the concept and accepting the songs for what they mean, the musical talent becomes clear, despite the simplicity. When listening in it's entirety, considering the reason for Jones making such an album, as mentioned above, it's easy to be absorbed in the melancholy pondering of it all.
Don't put it on at a party and don't listen to it with your friends, but give it a chance if you've got any respect for Wales' best export
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