Village Fire is the third EP by James, released in 1985 by Factory Records. It contains all five tracks from their previously released EPs Jimone (side A) and James II (side B).[1] The cover artwork was produced by John Carroll, whose childlike images were synonymous with much of the group's early work.

Village Fire
EP by
ReleasedJune 1985
RecordedAugust 1983 & October 1984
StudioStrawberry Studios, Stockport
GenreFolk
Length12:20
LabelFactory
ProducerChris Nagle
James chronology
James II
(1985)
Village Fire
(1985)
Chain Mail
(1986)

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Q     [2]

Barney Hoskyns of Spin wrote, "An even more delicious assault on pop music than the Smiths. The five songs are clean and clear, loose but supple, stemming from a basic Velvet Underground germ and stripped of power-rock trappings. They are honest and cheerful and witty and involving."[3]

Track listing edit

From Jimone:

  1. "What's the World" – 1:55
  2. "Folklore" – 2:49
  3. "Fire So Close" – 1:45

From James II:

  1. "If Things Were Perfect" – 3:00
  2. "Hymn from a Village" – 2:51

Personnel edit

References edit

  1. ^ Parkes, Jason A. (June 5, 2007). "James: Village Fire". Head Heritage. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  2. ^ "How Was It For You?: A James Discography". Q. October 1999. p. 95.
  3. ^ Barney Hoskyns (October 1985). "Life in a Northern Town". Spin. No. 6. p. 23.