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Sticks 'n' Stones (EP)

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Sticks 'n' Stones
EP by
Jamie T
Released29 June 2009 (2009-06-29)
GenreIndie rock
Length14:49
LabelVirgin
ProducerJamie T, Ben Bones
Jamie T chronology
Panic Prevention
(2007) 		Sticks 'n' Stones
(2009) 		Chaka Demus
(2009)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Daily Mirror[1]
Digital Spy[2]

Sticks 'n' Stones is an extended play (EP) released by English singer-songwriter Jamie T on 29 June 2009.[3] It served as the lead single (and the third track) from his second album, Kings & Queens, which premiered later on 7 September 2009.[4] The EP was his first release since his first album, Panic Prevention, in 2007.[4] The EP peaked at number 15 on the UK singles chart and was later certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for sales and streams exceeding 600,000.[5][6]

Background

[edit]

According to Treays, per an interview with Q magazine, "Sticks 'n' Stones" was inspired by reminiscing of times spent travelling on the train and the various things he would see along the way.[7] He also thought it sounded a bit like the music of The Police.[7] The EP was his first official release of the year, following the 12 January 2009 upload of a music video and free .mp3 download for "Fire Fire",[8] a teaser song for fans' patience that would later be included on the compilation album, B Sides (06-17) (2018).[9]

Included on this EP, aside from the titular track,[4] were an additional three songs—all of which were B-sides that had previously been unreleased.[10] "On the Green" was uploaded to Jamie T's MySpace around the time of release,[11] while "St Christopher" was given an exclusive preview on Lauren Laverne's BBC Radio 6 Music show on Saturday 20 June 2009.[12] Australian digital publication Concrete Playground described fourth track "The Dance of the Young Professionals" as an "ironic pirate shanty".[13] The song was interpolated with "Hungarian Dance No. 5" by German composer Johannes Brahms.[14]

Music video

[edit]

The "Sticks 'n' Stones" music video premiered on 18 June 2009.[15] It was directed by Adam Powell, who previously worked with Jamie T on his promo single video, "Fire Fire";[16] and would later collaborate on "The Man's Machine" video—the third single from Kings & Queens.[8] Powell stated that their goal here was to keep it "lo-fi" akin to the skate videos (which are Powell's forte).[16]

Jamie's real-life friends were featured alongside him in the "Sticks 'n' Stones" music video.[16] While throwing stones towards the camera—per Powell's direction—one hit the lens and cracked it, which is visible around the 1:26 mark of the YouTube video.[15]

Critical response

[edit]

The critical reception has been positive for the EP, with nearly universal acclaim for the hit titular single.[1] Daily Mirror's music critic Gavin Martin dubbed Jamie T a "one-man 21st century Clash" and praised the entire EP, particularly the lead single for tackling themes such as "ASBO Britain…weed…breakups," and more in a "blistering, layered, rap narrative".[1] Writing for Digital Spy, Alex Fletcher lauded the title track, proclaiming it to be "lighthearted, joyous and pumped to the brim with adrenaline," and stating one would "struggle to find a better indie anthem this summer."[2]

In his review for Clash, Mike Diver commended how the nostalgic feel of "Sticks 'n' Stones" blends with its pungent lyrics.[17] Clash editor Robin Murray echoed the sentiment, stating it "transcends time and place to become a bona fide anthem".[18] Werk.Re, in a positive review, hailed it as another "kitchen sink tale of juvenile delinquency and rudeboy fatalism".[19]

Alastair Thompson of Gigwise complimented "Sticks 'n' Stones" for being radio-worthy, plus having lyrical depth; and "The Dance of the Young Professionals" for its ska influence.[20] Likewise, Celina Murphy from Hot Press also praised "The Dance of the Young Professionals" for being "gloriously messy" live, and noted that "Sticks 'n' Stones" was received rapturously at the 25 February 2010 show at The Academy venue in Dublin, Ireland.[14]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Jamie Alexander Treays, unless otherwise indicated.[22]

Sticks 'n' Stones track listing[21]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sticks 'n' Stones"Jamie Treays
4:04
2."St Christopher"Treays
  • Jamie T
  • Bones
3:57
3."On the Green"
  • Treays
  • Coupland
  • Jamie T
  • Bones
  • Jimmy Robertson[a]
3:36
4."The Dance of the Young Professionals"
  • Treays
  • Coupland[b]
  • Jamie T
  • Bones
  • Greg "Wizard" Fleming[a]
3:12
Total length:14:49

Notes

Charts

[edit]

Notes:

  • ^[c] The EP also peaked at number three for physical sales and remained inside the top 50 for 10 consecutive weeks.[5]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[6] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Martin, Gavin (26 June 2009). Wallace, Richard (ed.). "Single Review: Sticks 'N' Stones EP". Daily Mirror. OCLC 223228477. Archived from the original on 3 July 2009. Retrieved 5 February 2025 – via The Ticket Blog. An exuberant return from the Wimbledon-based, one-man 21st Century Clash.
  2. ^ a b Fletcher, Alex (28 June 2009). "Jamie T: Sticks 'N' Stones". Retrieved 8 August 2016. With his idiosyncratic yodelling singing style and ragged post-Libertines guitar sound, he's about as polished as a discarded Glastonbury welly.
  3. ^ "Key Releases: June 29". Music Week. 20 June 2009. p. 26. eISSN 2052-2371. ISSN 0265-1548. OCLC 750494535.
  4. ^ a b c Murison, Krissi, ed. (28 May 2009). "Jamie T announces EP tracklisting". NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 31 July 2010. The four-track EP is released on June 29 and will be the first taste of his forthcoming second album,
  5. ^ a b Treays, Jamie (11 July 2009). "Sticks 'n' Stones EP by Jamie T". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 February 2025. 11 weeks - 11/07/2009 to 19/09/2009 (11th @ #55); 3 more weeks @ #75, 95, 77
  6. ^ a b "British single certifications – Jamie T – Sticks 'N' Stones". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b ""Stick 'N' Stones"". Songfacts. OCLC 892018719. Retrieved 12 November 2024. 'It's about travelling on the train and reminiscing about things I've seen on the line, like running away from gangs down side alleys.'
  8. ^ a b Knight, David (28 October 2009). "Jamie T's "Man's Machine" by Adam Powell". Promo News. Retrieved 3 February 2025. Jamie, on tour in Australia - this time intercut with lyric-illustrating stock footage. Adam, with his skate filmmaking background,
  9. ^ @RadioX (17 August 2018). "Jamie T Released A B-Sides Album & You Can Listen To It Now". Radio X (United Kingdom). Global Media & Entertainment. Retrieved 6 February 2025. 'Those songs will have their day at some point, in the meantime I hope this collection of tracks will satisfy those who want a more comprehensive set of songs available digitally.'
  10. ^ "Sticks 'n' Stones – EP". Apple Music. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  11. ^ Treays, Jamie (21 June 2009). "Jamie T's Songs". Myspace. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  12. ^ Laverne, Lauren (20 June 2009). "BBC Radio 6 Music – Lauren Laverne, 20/06/2009". BBC Radio 6 Music. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  13. ^ "Jamie T and The Pacemakers". Concrete Playground. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2011. Come dance a mosh-jig to the ironic pirate shanty "Dance of the Young Professionals"…
  14. ^ a b c Murphy, Celina (26 February 2010). Stokes, Niall (ed.). "Jamie T Live at The Academy". Hot Press. ISSN 0332-0847. Retrieved 6 February 2025. …and the blazing Brahms-inspired 'Dance Of The Young Professionals' sound gloriously messy),
  15. ^ a b Treays, Jamie (18 June 2009). Jamie T - "Sticks 'n' Stones" (official video) (Music Video). Event occurs at 1:26. Retrieved 6 February 2025 – via YouTube. 'Can't be stuck in Hampton Wick…'
  16. ^ a b c Knight, David (28 May 2009). "Jamie T's Sticks 'n' Stones by Adam Powell". PromoNews. Retrieved 20 October 2017. 'Sticks', albeit a bit more polished, has the same joie de vivre and fire in the belly.
  17. ^ Diver, Mike (29 June 2009). "Singles Round Up — June 29". Clash. ISSN 1743-0801. Retrieved 6 February 2025. Jamie T has you curled up in a bout of nostalgia while crafting sensational new musical memories.
  18. ^ Murray, Robin (17 July 2009). "Jamie T Talks Independence". Clash. ISSN 1743-0801. Retrieved 5 February 2025. …he remains capable of transmitting something universal.
  19. ^ — (4 July 2009). "Jamie T – Sticks 'n' Stones". WERK.RE. Retrieved 6 February 2025. …self-styled gutter poet holds similar appeal to his best-known single 'Sheila'…
  20. ^ Thompson, Alastair (2 July 2009). "Wednesday 01/07/09 Jamie T @ The Roundhouse, London". Gigwise. Retrieved 6 February 2025. …but it has also had the Pledge treatment and is suitably radio-worthy.
  21. ^ Treays, Jamie (2009). Sticks 'n' Stones (UK CD single liner notes). Virgin Records, Pacemaker Recordings. VSCDT1991, 5099996723654.
  22. ^ a b – (27 November 2024). "Jamie T – Sticks 'n' Stones — Vinyl (12", 45 RPM, EP); 2009". Discogs. Retrieved 16 January 2025. Written-By – Ben Coupland (tracks: B1, B2), Jamie T.
  23. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 274.
  24. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  26. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  27. ^ "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
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