Medium Raw [CD]

"Medium Raw" lives up to its name, presenting a series of intelligent, playful and often hard-rocking original songs with an astonishingly vital sound that thrives on the real environment.

In addition to seven James originals - six previously unreleased numbers and the fan favorite "Dig To China", which dates back to the first EP - the new album features songs co-written with Auerbach and top Nashville songwriter Pat McLaughlin ("I Got This Problem"); Sheryl Crow's frequent collaborator Jeff Trott ("Nothing Surprises Me Anymore"), roots singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim ("Go Down Swinging"), Irish songwriter Mick Flannery ("Upside Down Umbrella") and James' former roommate in Birmingham, Ryan Sobb ("Unspeakable Thing").