Jalier released by Brit in exile
Berlin-based Brit Jim Kroft has quietly grown his reputation since 2002, being far more successful in Central Europe, remaining fairly anonymous in his home country. In fact, he's exiled himself from Britain. He's aiming to change that with a song about his struggle, which will help bring him home. The Jailer is concerned with "doing the best with the best he can".
A sweeping intro reminded me of something a wrestler might come out to, before Kroft's happier-than Elliot Smith impression kicks in. For a subject as frustrating as banging his head against a brick wall, Kroft's voice drives the song onward and for a song that's asking for recognition, keeps that indie credibility that the self-exiled singer has been trading on for past few years in Germany.
B-Side Discovering the Man is a much slower, piano driven affair and follows a similar theme to The Jailer: Wanting fame before realising that it's not worth it and being alive is a far safer and better aspiration. Gleefully ominous, Kroft delivers a love song that seems to take in themes of suicide and fame on the way. The third track is the usual "speed it up, reverb the vocals and add a few drums" remix that only a brave house DJ would include in his set.
A fourth-wall breaking song about paying dues? Jim Kroft's journey is far from finished and while this song won't get him over, it's a pretty solid introduction which deserves to get a few more people listening to his second album "The Hermit and the Hedonist".