Therapy (James Whild Lea album)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Bubblegum Slut	favorable[18]
Classic Rock	[19]
The Last Word	favorable[20]
Subba-Cultcha
Trucking Magazine	favorable[21]

Upon release, Bubblegum Slut said: "Therapy is an appropriately named, open-hearted, on-the-couch record from a man whose public persona has always been rather one dimensional. As a result there seems to be something of a watershed here; different styles and ideas are crammed in hectically and most songs feature some candid emotional outpouring. Therapy is a record which raises a lot of issues for its author - listen only if you're prepared for some seriously thought provoking pop."[18] The Last Word described the album as a "fantastic solo record" and commented: "Of all the things I didn't expect to enjoy this year, a solo album by the guy who used to play bass in Slade was right up there at the top. It's been 16 years since Lea's last album but on this evidence he's kept up with both pop and rock. Especially if it's the sort of pop and rock that owes its very existence to Slade. A truly surprising pleasure."[20] Robin Dart of Subba-Cultcha said: "Wonderfully crafted songs, it is an album in the true sense. On Therapy, James Whild Lea showcases his song-writing ability, by penning the kind of songs which are quite simply really well written. In a world of mediocre songwriters pushing albums on more style than substance this record harks back to the Paul McCartneys of song-writing, welding effective melodies to imaginative arrangements, and it is quite simply a joy."[22]

Classic Rock stated: "Jimmy Lea was always the most enigmatic, talented and attractive member of Slade. Now pursuing a successful career as a therapist, his solo album seems to be more a labour of love than a stab at a comeback. Virtually a one man show a la Todd Rundgren/Roy Wood, Lea doesn't hide his influences, lyrically it's a universe away from the dyslexic musical football chants of his former employees. It's a treasure trove of lo-fi nuggets. And any album that name checks John Bonham and Phil Lynott in one verse has got to be worth the price of admission. Commendable and inspiring."[19] Trucking magazine wrote: "OK, it's definitely not Slade Mk II - and it's not even The Dummies Mk II. It's light years from "Cum On Feel the Noize" but is not easy to pigeonhole, being a collection of tracks that are clearly the work of a multi-talented one-man band a la Roy Wood. Broadly speaking, it's a great album to listen to - and "listen" is the key word. You get the feeling these are personal lyrics, a genuine labour of love in both words and music - and because of that, maybe not necessarily a serious comeback in terms of chart success, but more a case of "doing what I like, how I like it". Jim promises more in the future and I personally can't wait."[21]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Beat	favourable[23][24]
Classic Rock	[25][26]
Fireworks	favourable[27][24]
Lancashire Telegraph	favourable[28]
R2 (Rock'n'Reel)	[29][24]
Shindig!	[30][31]
Total Music	[32][24]

Chris Roberts of Classic Rock wrote: "...he addresses his midlife crises with bold, ambitious pop songs, the scale of which suggest a Midlands Todd Rundgren or Brian Wilson. Lyrically stretching, they trade in solid rock tropes, which he's adept enough to re-energise, although once or twice you're not sure if he's aping or parodying Oasis. The live album gives you all the Slade rock-outs you need, but Therapy itself is a more thoughtful bag of thrills."[26][24] Kevin Bryan of Lancashire Telegraph said: "The studio offering showcases a generous helping of the melodic Beatles influenced rock which became Slade's trademark during their glory years in the early seventies, whilst the concert package serves up an appealing assortment of golden oldies and covers, including loving revamps of such unlikely bedfellows as The Fab Four's "I Am the Walrus" and the Sex Pistols' "Pretty Vacant" to name but a few."[28]

Shindig! commented: "For an album composed and recorded while Lea undertook a psychology course, what could have been an indulgent album, full of introspective navel-gazing, is actually a blast. Despite the preoccupation with self-exploration the album is full of brash and ballsy songs, with hooks and killer choruses aplenty. It seems the man cannot help writing belting pop-rock tunes, and can also knock out a pretty decent piano ballad ("Smile of Elvis")." Speaking of the 2002 Robin live disc, the review added: "Tearing through an incendiary covers-heavy set, the self-confessed "miserable one" from Slade sounds like he's having fun. Revelatory and immensely enjoyable."[30][31] Ray Harper of Total Music said: "...he did record some songs that really deserved a larger audience ("Deadrock UK" could've graced any classic Mott album and "Go Out in Style" is only a Noddy vocal short of prime time Slade). A second live CD addition makes this a good time to check this out."[32][24] Steven Reid of Fireworks wrote: "Jim Lea was always a superb songwriter and with Therapy, he may [have] delivered his most consistent set of songs ever which is high praise indeed."[27][24]

Ian Abrahams of R2 (Rock'n'Reel) commented: "Don't expect something in line with Slade. This gorgeous album, luscious in sound and beautifully written and played has a resonance and depth to it. It's such an immediately likeable work, songs with memorable hooks, layered with great instrumentation and inhabited by haunting and heartfelt lyrics. Its great frustration is that it's a one-off, that since its original website release there's not been anything else. You'll want more."[29][24] Jim Stewart of Beat said: "When I was about to listen to Therapy, I had no real expectations, just a hope that it didn't try to recreate too much of the sound of the old band, and fortunately it doesn't. In fact it's a good listen, with the 'Live' bonus disc brilliant. An interesting package of solid productions, plus a great live set, what more could you want."[23][24]