Guy Sebastian probably didn`t realise it at the time but when decided to record `The Memphis Album` he made a life-changing and career-changing decision.
By covering the classics on the ‘The Memphis Album’ Guy Sebastian discovered Guy Sebastian. He has drawn from that epitome and created what should be considered the debut album from the next phase of his career.‘The Memphis Album’ was credible, real and totally unexpected from an Idol. With ‘Like It Like That’ Guy has completely shed his Idol past. ‘Like It Like That’ really is a great album.
If ‘The Memphis Album’ was Guy’s initiation into becoming a Soul Man then ‘Like It Like That’ is the graduation.
You’ve already heard the single and title track. The template is set at track two. ‘All To Myself’ is immediately draws in Motown. This was one of the songs Guy sang at his Sounds Australia showcase at SXSW earlier this year. The studio version is much blacker.
‘Art of Love’ is the most recent song recorded for the album. Guy recorded this only last month in New York with Jordin Sparks. This will be the hit to break America.
‘Attention’ gets back to black. A down and dirty soul song from Guy Sebastian? You betcha. “You’re a jack of all trades and a master of none,” he sings in the opening line. Musically, it is the complete opposite. He is being the master of one trade here, Soul.
As I listen through the album I’m beginning to wonder if there are secret message in the opening lines. “Maybe I’ve discovered mystical powers,” he sings in ‘Magic’. Maybe he has. Again, there is a nice Motown under-beat going on here. ‘Magic’ introduces Melbourne singer Tarryn Stokes.
‘Bring Yourself’ could very well end up becoming a favourite track over time. It is lush, with big strings and Guy sings his heart out of this one, Sam Cooke style. This is easily the best moment on the album.
‘Never Gonna Hold You Down’ lifts up the tempo again and channels the Jackson 5. It is another credible calling card for the USA.
‘Fail To Mention’ winds right down. It is one of those tender ballad moments and a complete contrast to the faster mode tracks. John Mayer plays on this one.
‘Never Be You’, also with Mayer, is more Sound Of Philadelphia than Motown but again Guy is staying true to his American influences.
‘Coming Home’ channels Brill Building/Phil Spector/Wall of Sound. No doubt, Guy has walked down Broadway many times and soaked up the influence from the historic music building. It is another fine example of taking what he has discovered since ‘The Memphis Album’ and moulding it back to his own style.
‘Undo’ is a bit of a standalone. It’s a strange choice for the album and seems somewhat out of context to the rest of the record. Really the album could have ended with ‘Coming Home’ but consider these next two tracks bonuses.
‘Perfection’ is the final song. Guy wrote this for his wedding day. ‘Undo’ and ‘Perfection’ break the mood of the album but what is a “Guy” to do these days? Make them b-sides.
‘Like It Like That’ by Guy Sebastian will be on sale tomorrow (October 23rd).
