ANYONE wondering whether local performer James Grehan can match the energy of his live act is in for a big surprise.

The former Epic frontman's debut solo effort recruits a full backing band with Mick Sippel on drums and James pretty much backing himself on everything else.

The result _ a nice, innocent little acoustic track like Tea In China becomes an explosive electric piece of rock and sounds as though that was the way it was meant to be.

But his trademark energetic acoustic riffs are there from the first notes rung out in the opening track Riddler.

The brilliance of the opening harmonics is a sign of the quality production throughout the album that James has achieved, helped out in producing the 11 tracks by Brisbane engineer ``Magic'' Yanto Browning.

There is a fine balance James has managed to tread in breaking the monotony of one acoustic guitar which he has to deal with in live shows and retaining the acoustic integrity of his sound but somehow he manages to do it.

And he certainly has mixed it up.

A ballad like Wild Willow is transformed from what you would hear in his shows with mandolin added to create a sound reminiscent of mid-sixties Rolling Stones and keyboard sounds like The Small Faces. Then there is a throwaway song like Little Stoned Grasshopper which is more like Ween in dance mode popping up in the middle for a bit of fun.

The title track, which has become his signature tune in live shows, manages to capture the energy. The surprise treat is Soundtrack to Fantasy which is a dramatic departure, an instrumental featuring loops and samples which breaks up the sound but strangely keeps the whole set together almost like a reprise.

A powerful set of songs which is certain to launch James as a solo artist. While the QT has its hands on a hot-off-the-press promotional copy, there is a limited press available at James' gigs ahead of the album's full release.

Brian Bennion