Kings & Queens is the second album by English singer-songwriter Jamie T, released first in the UK on 7 September 2009. The album reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.
Singles The first single released from the album was "Sticks 'n' Stones" released on 29 June 2009. The titular EP featured three B-sides: "St. Christopher", "On The Green", and "The Dance of the Young Professionals"; and reached No. 15 on the UK singles chart.
"Chaka Demus" was the second single to be released from the album and was out a week before the album, on 31 August. It peaked at No. 23 on the UK singles chart. The namesake EP also featured three B-sides: "Forget Me Not (The Love I Knew Before I Grew)" (feat. Hollie Cook & Ben Bones), "Planning Spontaneity", and "When They Are Gone (For Tim)".
"The Man's Machine" was the third single from the album, released on 23 November 2009. The song interpolates intros from the Angelic Upstarts with The Rockin' Berries' cover of "Poor Man's Son", among a few others. This EP, too, featured three B-sides: "Believing in Things That Can't Be Done"; "Jenny Can Rely on Me"; and "Man, Not a Monster".
The album's fourth single—a re-recorded version of "Emily's Heart", along with a cover Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City" as a B-side—was released on 15 March 2010. A music video for "Emily's Heart" preceded it in February 2010.
Critical reception
The album received much praise in reviews from critics, with Brianna Saraceno of Drowned in Sound proclaiming it "a resounding success". Dan LeRoy of Alternative Press likened him to a "clash" between The Clash's Joe Strummer and Mick Jones.
Track listing
Notes During the intro to "The Man's Machine", an amalgamation of three spoken word intros from the Angelic Upstarts' 1981 Live album are blended: "Police Oppression", "Kids on the Streets", + "You're Nicked"—with the latter being the most prominently featured. Throughout the intro, an interpolation of The Rockin' Berries' cover version of "Poor Man's Son" underscores the monologue. It was first recorded by The Reflections, who were signed by co-lyricist JoAnne Bratton's label. Excerpts of other songs sampled during verses of "The Man's Machine" include: "Pump Me Up" by Trouble Funk; "The Trouser Press" by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band; & "Watch Yourself" by Nine Below Zero. However, only the former received songwriting credits. Albeit uncredited, the opening melody of "Chaka Demus" was interpolated from The Banana Splits' TV theme song, "The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)". A sample from Joan Baez's rendition of "Queen of Hearts" was utilized for the intro to "Earth, Wind & Fire". Although traditional, she received composition credit. "The Curious Sound" was available via iTunes downloads only. "Direction Home" was only available on select streaming services. Both "On the Green" and "St. Christopher" first appeared on the Sticks 'n' Stones EP, which preceded this album's initial UK + USA releases.
Release in Japan Kings & Queens was released in Japan by Tearbridge International on 17 February 2010.
Sales and certifications
References